Acatris develops odourless L-selenomethionine
says will facilitate use of the more bioavailable form of selenium
in tablets and capsules without affecting sensory properties.
Launched under the Belgian-Dutch company's A-List brand, the selenomethionine is synthetic product, and a spokesperson for the company told NutraIngredients.com that the odourless property is due to the use of a special coating.
What is more, since it is not produced through fermentation, it is said to be suitable for people with a yeast allergy.
A study carried out by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center last year and accepted for publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that selenomethionine, an organic compound and the form of selenium that most often occurs naturally in food products, is twice as bioavailable as selenium in the form of selenite.
This study was carried out using Sabinsa's Selenium SeLECT.
Odour issues associated with L-selenomethionine have meant that supplement-makers have previously preferred to use less bioavailable forms of the trace mineral.
Acatris' new product contains 5000mcg/g of L-selenomethionine. It is manufactured exclusively by Acatris and its partner Eburon, a Belgian company that develops, produces and markets synthons and reagents for organic chemistry.
Selenium is understood to boost the body's antioxidant immune system and may deliver health benefits including reduced risk of some types of cancer and cardiovascular disease and promotion of normal liver function.
In the US the FDA issued a qualified health claim on selenium in 2003, which states: "Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive."
A-List selenomethionine is being launched on a worldwide basis.
