The Indian company that has done most of its business in lutein and curcumin, presented its Capsimax-branded chili extract at Expo West in Anaheim recently, where it noted a growing body of science backing the thermogenic potential of chili extracts – i.e. the ability to increase metabolic and calorie-burn rates.
Chief technology officer, Jayant Deshpande, PhD, said as-yet-unpublished research conducted at the University of Oklahoma using GNC dietary supplements containing Capsimax, had shown the calorie-burning effect.
Aside from the GNC product, Capsimax features in three branded dietary supplements in the US. The proprietary blend, which also contains caffeine, black pepper extract and niacin, was launched in October, 2008, and was in the process of building awareness.
“Because of the relative novelty of this ingredient we are engaging in a business-to-business campaign this year and a business-to-consumer campaign will follow,” Deshpande told NutraIngredients-USA.com.
OmniActive’s website noted there were about 650 studies published on capsaicinoids every year.
Chili family
Chilis are part of the capsicum family that includes regular peppers which OmniActive’s parent company, Kancor Ingredients, has been trading in for more than 35 years. The primary active components in capsicum varieties are capsaicinoids and it these chemicals Capsimax is built on.
Deshpande said Capsimax is manufactured using a patented process that creates a “beadlet microsphere” that allows the nutrient to be released while “eliminating any potential discomfort” associated with chili’s inherent heat.
“The technology reigns in the heat and makes it palatable,” he said. “Even the smallest dose is 15-20 times hotter than a typical red pepper. It can also be blended with other ingredients such as green tea.”
The ingredient can be safely consumed at 1000mg per day, he said, equivalent to 200mg of capsaicinoids.
Deshpande said "four or five article 13 weight management claims" had been submitted to the European Union nutrition and health claims process, due for completion in 2010.