ChromaDex Awarded Grant for Anthocyanin Research

ChromaDex (Irvine, CA), a developer of phytochemical and botanical reference standards, has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to commercialize its AnthoPure technology for developing anthocyanins through fermentation.

The company plans to market these anthocyanins to food, beverage, cosmetic, and dietary supplement manufacturers.

The grant allows ChromaDex to complete validation of its AnthoPure technology, which selectively manufactures specific plant anthocyanins via fermentation. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant pigments or colorants that result in the coloring of berries, for instance. They are contended to aid health conditions through mechanisms such as helping protect against oxidative stress, controlling blood glucose levels, and assisting with weight management and diabetes.

“We believe the revenue potential for select, high-purity anthocyanins will be significant, but until recently, there has not been a commercially viable process by which to manufacture them,” said Bill Spengler, ChromaDex president.

In July 2008, the company entered into a worldwide license agreement with the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, on behalf of the University at Buffalo, to commercialize AnthoPure.