IFF Health and DolCas Biotech in Curcugen partnership

Curcugen is a clean, high-concentrate and uniquely dispersible curcumin ingredient, boasting a 'wholesome' turmeric base and a high (50%) curcuminoid concentration.

Now the two firms will combine IFF's application technologies and Dolcas' scientific knowledge to meet the growing interest in curcumin throughout Europe.

Mark L. Dewis, Ph. D, President of Natural Product Solutions at IFF, said: “We are happy to include this innovative ingredient in our portfolio of science-based natural ingredients. This enables us to expand our activities in the market for curcumin nutraceuticals in better-for-you products.”​

K.G. Rao, President and CEO of DolCas Biotech, adds: “​This mutual effort will not only meet the growing interest in curcumin throughout Europe, but support our commitment to reinvesting in the science behind our ingredients and pave the way to increased market confidence and brand exposure along the way.​

Curcugen is the only curcumin ingredient to provide 'whole rhizome synergism', making it similar to the food format of the turmeric spice.

It contains 50% curcuminoids concentration, registering significantly higher than many of the dispersible curcumin brands recently flooding the market, and strongly competing with older, more established brands.

The composition of Curcugen provides a spectrum of native bioactive compounds, including the three major curcuminoids in their natural ratios, turmeric essential oils, polar resins and other natural constituents from turmeric that make its bioactive profile as robust as the plant stem itself. 

Curcugen’s production begins with turmeric extract, which is then 'optimised' by the patent-pending SELF-D platform technology. This takes otherwise discarded resins of turmeric and makes them functional by giving priority to those that are naturally more polar (and therefore more functional), while simultaneously concentrating the natural curcuminoids to the 50% standard.

Dr. Shavon Jackson-Michel, Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs for DolCas-Biotech, LLC, explains: “The functional polar resins in Curcugen add significant value to the ingredient, avoiding the common practice of adding non-turmeric bio-enhancers or nanotechnology.​

“The polar resins are believed to increase the surface area of otherwise clustered curcumin molecules, enhancing their interaction with water. Based on human bioavailability data, this mechanism effectuates a significant increase in absorption. ​

"Compared to unformulated curcumin, this results in a bioavailability increase of 39 times for free curcumin, 52 times for total curcuminoids and 31 times for tetrahydrocurcumin, which is the most beneficial and active metabolite. This concept provides a complete picture on the bioavailability of curcumin.”​

Published clinical data and safety dossiers are expected later in 2020. 

Prototyping for Curcugen’s differentiated delivery capabilities is already underway, and includes proof-of-concept formulations for non-traditional formats, including powdered drinks, oral dispersible powders, hard candies, ready-to-drink beverage shots and gummies.