Soluble Curcumin May Have Big Implications for Turmeric Beverages

Sabinsa Corp. (East Windsor, NJ) is continuing its efforts to expand the possibilities of curcumin formulation. At last week’s Natural Products Expo West 2015, Sabinsa announced the debut of uC3 CLEAR, a new curcumin ingredient that “brings complete solubility to curcumin for the beverage market,” according to marketing materials.

“The idea of launching uC3 CLEAR is to enhance the consumer experience of curcumin with a more convenient and improved delivery system,” says Shaheen Majeed, marketing director, Sabinsa.

One of the greatest difficulties in formulating beverages with curcumin is the ingredient often settles at the bottom of containers, forming an orange sediment that consumers may not find attractive. Majeed claims uC3 CLEAR dissolves completely in water and avoids this unsightly predicament. Curcumin’s light-sensitivity has also forced many formulators to use opaque packaging with the ingredient, but Majeed claims uC3 CLEAR held up well in a photo-sensitive study and is therefore appropriate for beverages with clear packaging.

“While curcumin has been available in solid dosages in capsules or tablets, its use in beverages or in liquid delivery systems overcomes the solid dosage delivery challenges, such as poor disintegration rate or dissolution before absorption, particle size after dissolution, etc., which can limit the absorption,” says Majeed. “We have launched uC3 CLEAR in powdered form which can be easily formulated in stick packs or beverages, liquid dietary supplements with additional flavors, or ingredients to enhance the customer experience of curcumin as beverage with health benefits, and at the same time great taste.”

uC3 CLEAR does not include a bioavailability enhancer such as Bioperine, and the new product falls within Sabinsa’s GRAS-affirmed curcumin patent. Majeed says the new product contains 10%-15% curcuminoids and he recommends dosages of up to 200 mg per day.

Sabinsa has been investigating the possibility of water soluble curcuminoids for the last 10 years or so, says Majeed. He attributes the uC3 CLEAR breakthrough to the extraction process that led to this certain curcumin blend.

uC3 CLEAR will be available beginning in April.

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

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