Blue California, Conagen commercialize healthy-aging nicotinamide mononucleotide produced via fermentation

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Ingredient supplier Blue California (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) and biotech firm Conagen (Bedford, MA) are working together to commercialize another ingredient: fermentation-derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The companies describe the ingredient as “a better, cost-effective option” for dietary supplement, functional food, and beverage manufacturers.

NMN is an ingredient geared to the healthy-aging market for support of brain health, vitality, heart health, metabolic health, and even skincare. “NMN serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme present in all living cells and critical for mitochondrial function,” the companies explain in a press release. “Increased intracellular levels of NAD+ boost energy production and improve cellular health, but levels decline dramatically with age. Replenishing NAD+ in the body with its precursor NMN has been proposed as a way to possibly combat age-related degeneration and increase healthy lifespan.”

Blue California and Conagen say their fermentation-derived ingredient stands out because many NMN ingredients currently in the market are chemically synthesized. Their ingredient may be more appealing to manufacturers seeking non-synthetic ingredients, they say.

“NMN is a logical extension to our line of ‘longevity ingredients,’ which includes ergothioneine and pyrroloquinoline quinone. All of these molecules are made by our own proprietary fermentation processes, enabling our customers to better serve consumers who might reject chemically derived ingredients,” said Casey Lippmeier, PhD, Conagen’s vice president of innovation, in a press release. “Because of the way we make it, Conagen’s NMN is of the highest purity and quality. It is also very cost-effective and compatible with clean-label trends, all of which demonstrates our strength as a strategic partner with Blue California.”