The antioxidant ingredient, which is derived from citrus peel, has been distributed globally by SourceOne since its launch in 2003, and is marketed for its heart health benefits.
This initial distribution agreement, which saw SourceOne hold exclusive rights, is now drawing to an end. KGK, which invented Sytrinol and holds its production patents, said it would not renew the distribution agreement, and would instead be supplying the ingredient itself as of January 1 2009.
The company’s president and CEO Najla Guthrie would not discuss reasons behind the move, but said that the transition would be “as smooth as possible” for customers.
“We’ve got supply secured and there will be no interruption to availability or delivery,” she told NutraIngredients-USA.com this morning.
Cholesterol lowering
A powerful antioxidant, Sytrinol is a patented formula combining citrus polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), alpha, delta and gamma tocotrienols and other constituents which have been shown to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
A study conducted by KGK Synergise and the USDA and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in May 2004 claimed to be the first to show that PMEs can lower cholesterol.
In fact, PMFs were seen to have the most potent cholesterol-lowering effect of any other citrus flavonoid.
According to Dr Elzbieta Kurowska, lead investigator of the study and vice president of research at Canada-based KGK Synergize, "we believe that PMFs have the potential to rival and even beat the cholesterol-lowering effect of some prescription drugs, without the risk of side effect".
The risk for a fatal heart attack is thought to be about five times higher in people with a cholesterol level of 300 mg/dL or more than in those with a cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL.
Sytrinol is said to be able to reduce total cholesterol by 30 percent, to reduce LDL cholesterol by 27 percent, as well as to lower triglycerides by 34 percent.
Global reach
Since it started distributing the ingredient, SourceOne has entered into agreements with Seltzer Nutritional Technologies and Source Naturals to expand its reach in the North American dietary supplements and functional foods markets.
Last year, the company also partnered with Solgar Vitamin & Herb to introduce Sytrinol in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland.
Guthrie said that once KGK takes up distribution next year, it will continue to expand the product’s reach in the North American and European markets, and it will also look to take it to Asia and Australia.