Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and radish, to name a few, and is associated with supporting metabolic health, digestion, heart health, and cognitive health.
Conagen has announced the development of its non-GMO, 99% high-purity sulforaphane using its proprietary bioconversion technology. Commercialization plans are to begin in 2023. Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and radish, to name a few, and is associated with supporting metabolic health, digestion, heart health, and cognitive health. In these vegetables, there is an inactive form called glucoraphanin, and the sulfur-rich sulforaphane is only activated when the vegetables are chewed or chopped, releasing an enzyme called myrosinase that plays a role in the defense of plants.
“As a supplement product, Conagen’s high-purity sulforaphane is appealing to consumers as the levels found in raw vegetables are too low to realize many of its promising health benefits,” said Casey Lippmeier, PhD, senior vice president of innovation, in a press release. “Through Conagen’s bioconversion technology, we’re uncovering the great potential in sulforaphane as a powerful active health ingredient for consumers who are personalizing nutrition to support health functions. We can make safe and high-quality nutritional ingredients from natural sources and offer it at a global-scale cost-competitively so that brands may pass on the good health and savings to their consumers.”