Highly regarded for its antioxidant properties and credited with helping to reduce risk of diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, vitamin E also slows foods from becoming rancid. Vitamin E can consist of up to eight tocopherols and toco-trienols (four each). Consumers continue to seek foods and beverages that give them an edge on health, and one company’s unique tocotrienol complex (vitamin E) helps manufacturers deliver consumer wishes. 

Carotech uses a U.S.-patented extraction technology, without organic solvents, to manufacture several ingredients. Tocomin®, a self-affirmed GRAS ingredient (tocotrienol), is known as “the vitamin E of the 21st century.” Another ingredient, Caromin®, is a mixed carotene complex with the highest level of alpha-carotene in the market, says the company, and Stelessterol® is a phytosterol from palm fruits/crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis). “We have the tocotrienol complex in various forms (oil extract, compressible beadlets, as well as water-dispersible powder) to cater to different applications: supplements (soft gel, tablet and two-piece, hard shell), functional foods and drinks, and last, but not least, cosmetic/skin nutrition,” explains W.H. Leong, vice president of the Edison, N.J.-based company. “All three products are 100% non-GMO, vegetarian and kosher-certified.”

There are two human clinical trials, in progress, dedicated to supporting the beneficial effects of Tocomin SupraBio™ bio-enhanced, natural, full-spectrum palm toco-trienol complex (palm vitamin E). The first, the largest ever on tocotrienols, is a phase 2, three-year study funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Ministry of Science, Malaysia. It focuses on neuro-protection, or protection against stroke-induced injuries, and cardio-protection in 400 human subjects1. In patients who suffered from stroke, MRIs were used to detect irregular white matter load intensities in the brain, as these clusters may help indicate sub-clinical infarcts and also may be markers in predicting future risk of stroke.

Earlier, separate studies, run by Chandan Sen, Ph.D., and his group of researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Center, have shown rats supplemented with toco-trienols display less stroke-induced damage, when compared to controls. Their lipid profiles improved, and they had reduced LDL oxidation, among other effects. The scientists will study whether these same conditions occur in humans.

The second randomized, double-blind study is focusing on Tocomin’s effect on preventing or reducing damage on post-surgical scars2. This trial is taking place at the Ohio State University Medical Center and is testing both oral and topical applications. Scientists hope to prove the ingredient reduces inflammation, which helps reduce scarring.

Besides dietary supplements, Toco-min can be applied to foods and beverages, such as margarine and spreads, mayonnaise, salad dressings, bakery products, RTE cereals, functional beverages, soup mixes, yogurt, chewing gum and many other foods.

Another GRAS-approved ingredient provided by Carotech is Caromin Natural Palm Mixed Carotene Complex. “Caromin is the only true mixed carotene with the highest level of alpha-carotene in the market. Only Caromin Palm Mixed Carotene has a similar composition as found in carrots: 33% alpha-carotene, 65% beta-carotene and 2% of other carotene (i.e., gamma-carotene, lycopene, etc.),” informed Leong. The mixed carotene enhances the natural yellow hue in applications such as margarines; the color ranges from yellow to orange and provides strong antioxidant and pro-vitamin A properties to the food or beverage. pf
 

For more information:
Carotech Inc. • Edison, N.J.
W.H. Leong • 732-906-1901
www.carotech.net • www.tocotrienol.org

References:
1 “A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the neuro-protective and anti-atherogenic effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (palm vitamin E),” funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Ministry of Science, Malaysia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00753532.
2 “Efficacy of natural vitamin E tocotrienol on the treatment of surgical scars,” verified by Ohio State University, January 2009. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00700791.