ChromaDex Corp. has entered into an exclusive worldwide license and supply agreement for patent-pending Suntava Purple Corn.
 
Suntava Purple Corn is derived from a proprietary non-GMO purple corn hybrid, which contains a high level of anthocyanins. Purple corn is rich in antioxidants and has a natural deep purple color due to the high anthocyanin content. It is grown in the U.S., and is handled, harvested, and processed using the same modern, efficient methods and equipment as traditional corn crops, according to the companies.
 
ChromaDex plans to develop an extraction process to concentrate the anthocyanins in Suntava Purple Corn, which will be used to produce a highly concentrated anthocyanin ingredient. Like all of its ingredient technologies, ChromaDex will utilize the expertise of a toll manufacturer to produce the commercial ingredient. ChromaDex believes there is a ready market for cost-effective concentrated anthocyanins having application in dietary supplements, sports nutrition, food & beverage and skin care.
 
Suntava CEO, Bill Petrich stated, “We could not have asked for a more ideal partner than ChromaDex. They have demonstrated both the wherewithal and expertise in commercializing novel ingredient technologies. We look forward to working with ChromaDex in the future as we continue to explore new applications, as well as next generation versions of this amazing plant.”
 
Commenting on the announcement, Frank Jaksch, CEO and co-founder of ChromaDex stated, “Anthocyanins are proven to have many health and wellness benefits; however, the high cost of therapeutically effective dose of concentrated anthocyanins has limited consumer interest and awareness. Jaksch continued, “Suntava Purple Corn is a game changer that will give us a huge raw material cost advantage and allow us to produce an ingredient that we can market well below the current prices of other anthocyanin-rich extracts.
 
Purple corn (Zea mays) is botanically the same species as regular table corn. The pigment in purple corn responsible for its vivid color comes from a group of compounds called anthocyanins.
 
Anthocyanins are antioxidants that belong to a class of plant chemicals known as polyphenols, and are responsible for the purple, violet, blue and red colors in many plants, fruits and vegetables.
 
For more information: www.chromadex.com