The nutritional ingredient manufacturer has announced that it has obtained patents in Australia, Canada and Japan for the manufacturing process relating to providing standardized levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. The new approvals follow the group’s success in obtaining patents in the US and India for the same technology.
Abhijit Bhattacharya, chief operating officer for the group, said that obtaining the patents would allow the company to extend its presence for providing innovative delivery methods for functional products to a growing number of markets.
"OmniActive has taken the lead in creating superior formulations of free lutein based on its innovative technologies using novel and vegetarian delivery forms to provide improved functionality, enhanced stability and improved bioavailability," he stated.
According to the company, the patent itself is based around preparing xanthophyll crystals that contain a high level of trans-lutein. The process is also said to provide zeaxanthin within the ingredient.
OmniActive markets a range of free lutein, lutein esters and zeaxanthin primarily for eye health.
Xanthophylls
The group says that both lutein and zeaxanthin are from the xanthophylls group of carotenoids, which it says boasts antioxidants properties linked by testing to a number of potential health benefits.
Pointing to unspecified studies into the area, the company claims that both lutein and two isomeric forms of zeaxanthin form pigments within the retina that can protect against vision impairment conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
A number of suppliers have moved to play up their operations for providing lutein and zeaxanthin ingredients in the last year as part of a wider push to match a mix of carotenoids found in certain levels of fruit and vegetables.
This includes groups such as Cognis’ algae derived Betatene, which it claims could have eye health and immunity benefits for consumers.