Sensegen, the biotech-ingredient joint venture of Blue California and Conagen, steps forward with its own website

Photo from Sensegen

Sensegen, an ingredient business focused on 100%-biotechnology-based ingredients derived from fermentation, is officially introducing itself with its first website, www.sensegen.com. The Sensegen business is a partnership of ingredients supplier Blue California (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) and Conagen (Bedford, MA), a specialist in producing ingredients through bioconversion, or fermentation.

The companies began working together in recent years, with Conagen developing the strains, technology, and processes to produce ingredients via fermentation, and Blue California using its expertise to commercialize those ingredients. Together, the companies have already created several ingredients through bioconversion, including hydroxytyrosol, nicotinamide mononucleotide, and L-ergothioneine, as well as preservative ingredients like p-Coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid. Recently, the companies debuted a trademarked ingredient called Plantarome M, which they call the first biotech source of musk used by the fragrance industry. Last fall, Nutritional Outlook interviewed the companies about their partnership at the SupplySide West trade show.

Sensegen plans to roll out ingredients for the flavor, fragrance, health, and beauty markets. With its new website, Sensegen is stepping into its own branding after “an 18-month incubation previously under the name Blue California Flavors and Fragrances,” the company explained in a press release. Sensegen is being advertised as “the first 100%-biotechnology-based solution provider serving [the taste, smell, and beauty] markets.”

Through bioconversion, ingredients can be made clean and sustainably—something increasingly important to customers switching from synthetic to natural ingredients, the companies say. At Sensegen’s Creative Center, flavor, fragrance, cosmetic, and personal care development teams, supported by analytical chemistry, applications development, and sensory science teams, will work together to develop new ingredients.

“We’re charting our course in clean and sustainable taste, smell, and beauty in a new and exciting way,” said Kathy Oglesby, Sensegen’s chief value creation officer, in a press release. “Under one roof, perfumers, flavorists, biologists, and chemists are working together, inspired by nature and disciplined by science.”

She added: “Sensegen is committed to supporting brands to meet consumers’ expectations of reducing the environmental footprint of their products and inspiring repeat purchases. We are 100% focused on true-to-nature, sustainable, and clean ingredients made possible by biotechnology.”