Plant Sterol, Stanol Extraction Technology Gets U.S. Patent

Technology for extracting a plant sterol and stanol blend from tall oil pitch has been patented in the United States by Forbes Medi-Tech Corp. (Kearny, NJ). The company is a division of ingredients supplier Pharmachem Laboratories Inc. (Kearny, NJ). Forbes specializes in plant sterol/stanol technologies for healthy cholesterol management. The firm produces its propriety ingredient Reducol, a blend of plant sterols and plant stanols.

“This patent in the U.S. validates the many years of research and development by the dedicated team of scientists and engineers behind the development of our plant sterol–based technologies,” said Forbes senior vice president of operations Laura Wessman. “This patent further strengthens our ability to broadly protect our proprietary technology as we develop heart-healthy functional food and dietary supplement applications.”

Reducol is derived from coniferous, or evergreen, trees. The trees are processed, forming a tall oil pitch, from which the sterol/stanol blend is then extracted. Reducol works by blocking the absorption of some of the cholesterol from the intestine and into the body. The company says it has been clinically proven to significantly lower LDL cholesterol-up to 15.5% compared to control. The firm says that unlike competing ingredients that generally must be used in oil-based foods, Reducol can be used in a broader range of food products.

The new Forbes patent is #8,338,564.