Brightseed, a company specializing in bioactives discovery through its AI platform, Forager, has expanded a partnership with Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. that began in 2021, to continue discovering new bioactive compounds in cranberry varieties.

The partnership’s latest in silico findings will be presented at a poster session by Ocean Spray research scientists at the American Society of Nutrition’s Nutrition 2024 Conference on June 30.

Brightseed and Ocean Spray identified multiple bioactives that have yet to be extensively studied in cranberries and that hold enormous human health potential, including terpenes. 

“Ocean Spray has a longstanding commitment to leading scientific exploration of cranberries and the various ways consumers can benefit from their consumption,” says Katy Galle, Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Sustainability at Ocean Spray. “Our work with Brightseed’s Forager AI platform has dramatically enhanced our ability to identify and verify the various bioactive compounds found within specific cranberry varieties that can impact new areas of health, such as cognition and immunity.”

Led by Ocean Spray research scientists Lindsey Christman, Ph.D., and Christina Khoo, Ph.D., and Brightseed scientist, Chuan Wang, Ph.D. , the poster presentation, “Decoding the Total Bioactive Health Potential of the Cranberry Through AI,” will demonstrate the collective work between Ocean Spray and Brightseed to uncover hidden health benefits of cranberries. 

As part of the research, the team analyzed six cranberry varieties from different regions, and predicted foru times more phytonutrients related to new areas of human health potential that will be investigated further through pre-clinical and clinical research.

“Ocean Spray’s dedication to innovation and focus on improving human health has been a continued motivator for our partnership. This latest research further validates Forager’s impact on food and nutrition and the way in which we are producing and sourcing food,” said Mary Beth Miranda, PhD, director of business development at Brightseed. “Forager was able to highlight unique compounds within cranberries and give us information about linked health benefits that were previously not studied or found, shedding more light on the power that superfruits like cranberries can hold. Our continued work with Ocean Spray will enable us to better understand the additional health benefits of cranberries and support their efforts to bring improved nutrition to consumers.”