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Blue California completes groundbreaking human clinical trial on ErgoActive® ergothioneine intervention for cognitive function, memory, and sleep

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California, an industry leader in science–driven ingredient development, announced the successful completion of a groundbreaking human clinical trial of ergothioneine. A double–blinded placebo–controlled clinical trial sponsored by Blue California has shown that ErgoActive® ergothioneine supports aspects of cognitive function, memory, and sleep in healthy elderly subjects with subjective memory complaints.

“Blue California is proud to have sponsored such an important human study,” said Linda May–Zhang, Ph.D., VP of Science and Innovation at Blue California. “We are pleased by the results showing improvements of cognitive function and ability to get to sleep in subjects consuming ErgoActive for four months.”

Research has suggested that inadequate levels of ergothioneine are associated with a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, frailty, age–related cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, and dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mushroom consumption and estimated dietary ergothioneine intake have previously been associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline and potentially longer lifespan.

Despite decades of preclinical research, association studies, and clinical studies conducted with mushrooms, it remained untested whether supplementation with pure ergothioneine can improve cognitive outcomes. Rigorous clinical studies were lacking. Today, Blue California has made a substantial advancement by sponsoring a double–blinded, placebo–controlled clinical study conducted at a national research institution.

Sharing his insights, Robert B. Beelman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Director of the Center for Plant and Mushroom Foods for Health at Pennsylvania State University, stated, “The results of this study provide important clinical evidence supporting the idea that ergothioneine is a ‘longevity vitamin’ that can help mitigate cognitive decline and sleep issues commonly associated with aging.”

Blue California is a proud gold sponsor for the National University of Singapore’s Center of Healthy Longevity global conference on Supplements for Healthy Longevity, held Feb. 29 – Mar. 2, 2024.

ErgoActive ergothioneine is made by precision fermentation with FDA–reviewed safety of GRAS. This ingredient is easy to formulate for dietary supplements, functional food and beverages, pet supplements, and cosmetics.

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About Blue California Ingredients

Blue California is a science–driven, nature–inspired ingredient company dedicated to developing innovative solutions for health and well–being. We provide and manufacture clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care, and cosmetic products.

With a commitment to rigorous scientific research, the company aims to address pressing concerns related to aging and healthspan.  For more information, visit https://bluecal–ingredients.com/ergothioneine.

ErgoActive® is a registered trademark of Blue California, Inc.

Ergothioneine is also referred to as L–Ergothioneine, (ET) and (ERG).

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9031565)

Following EFSA Ban of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), Blue California Launches Clean-label Food Grade Whitening Agents as Alternatives

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following food authority EFSA's ban of food additive titanium dioxide (TiO2), Blue California, the producer of natural science–based ingredients, launched novel food–grade whitening agents as a clean–label alternative to replacing potential health risk white colorant titanium dioxide.

"Brands that seek to replace the titanium dioxide white colorant will find many benefits to Blue California's patent–pending food–grade whitening agents," said Cuie Yan, Ph.D., vice president of encapsulation. "Our alternative to titanium dioxide is industry–changing with opacifying or whitening effects and excellent sensory benefits with a delicious creamy/rich mouthfeel, and contains proprietary ingredients that may have additional benefits such as supporting cognitive health.”

One of the most widely used food pigments is titanium dioxide (E171), an odorless powder that enhances foods' white color or opacity. The most common titanium dioxide products are chewing gum, candies, pastries, chocolates, coffee creamers, and cake decorations. Titanium dioxide is also used as a pigment in paints and medicines.

In recent decades, concerns about the risks of titanium dioxide consumption have grown. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes titanium dioxide as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) at a maximum of 1% weight, but other organizations have issued warnings.

New governing rules in Europe are in action for producers to reformulate their products during a six–month window of phasing out titanium dioxide (E171). This follows the food authority European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) decision deeming titanium dioxide (E171) as "not safe" in 2021, and now a complete ban in 2022. France suspended the use of titanium dioxide in January 2020.

"Our clean–label, food–grade, and effective whitening agents are heat and pH stable for a variety of applications that match the performance of titanium dioxide yet overcome its safety concerns," said Yan. "We've innovated these solutions as safe alternatives for brands that need to reformulate products rapidly due to government authorities concerns, bans, and phasing out titanium dioxide."

Blue California's patent–pending food–grade whitening powders have a similar size in diameter to the traditional titanium dioxide with higher L values (whiter), as shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1. Color and particle size comparison between Blue California's novel food–grade whitening agents versus titanium dioxide whitening powder.

Sample ID Color Measurement Redispersion Diameter
L a b nm
Titanium Dioxide (reference) 96.06 –0.26 1.54 310.5
Novel Food Grade Whitening 1 97.42 –0.09 1.45 266.4
Novel Food Grade Whitening 2 97.43 –0.09 1.95 278.2
Novel Food Grade Whitening 3 97.48 –0.11 1.43 305.0

Note: The a and b "Color Measurement' values are color depth markers of red, green, blue, and yellow. The "Redispersion Diameter' measures the particle size.

The food–grade whitening agents have been tested in chewing gum compared to titanium dioxide. The whitening effect results of Blue California's whitening agents are as remarkable as titanium dioxide. The whiteness increases as the dosage increases.

"We're ready to collaborate with product developers to replace titanium dioxide with a clean–label, delicious, and safer whitening agents in their product lines," said Yan.

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About Blue California

Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science–based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care, and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural products and nature–inspired industries.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8424705)

Blue California-FineCap™ Microencapsulation Platform Serves the Purpose

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Dec. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California, the producer of natural science–based ingredients, provides FineCap a comprehensive microencapsulation technology platform, equipped with 20 microencapsulation technologies, to deliver active ingredients and satisfy our clients' needs.

Microencapsulation is the process in which tiny particles of solid, liquid, or gas are packaged within a matrix to form a capsule. The capsule is coated with a protective layer to avoid degradation from exposure to environmental factors such as water, oxygen, heat, and light.

"Brands that seek to expand their products' qualities and boost their product portfolios will find many benefits to the FineCap platform," said Dr. Cuie Yan, vice president of encapsulation. "FineCap takes microencapsulation a step further by offering a variety of technologies and targeting customers' specific needs in tackling active ingredients with unique characteristics, such as strong odor, taste or stability problems that challenge formulators."

Microencapsulation systems have been widely used across multiple industries, including the pharmaceutical, food, supplement, personal care, and fragrance industries, for active ingredients like medicines, nicotine, flavors/fragrances, polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics, natural pigments, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. Space agency NASA also uses encapsulation technologies for spacecraft. The pharmaceutical industry uses microencapsulation often to control the release of active pharma ingredients (API).

Blue California has created the FineCap platform to serve customers' growing demands for better performance of API, functional ingredients, dietary supplements, flavors, fragrances, cosmetics, and personal care products.

For example, FineCap protects API from degradation, unpleasant tastes or aroma, and maintains its efficacy, by controlling its release. FineCap enables flavors to thrive in food and beverages with integrity, intensity, and extended shelf–life.

In fragrances, FineCap guarantees brands to control the precise fragrance release rate, location, and duration. Personal care products benefit from FineCap by protecting the delicate top–notes and cosmetic actives from oxygen, moisture, temperature, and light deterioration. A more comprehensive look into the benefits that FineCap delivers in these product segments can be found here.

"Our comprehensive FineCap platform has been serving and supporting formulators looking to launch market–winning products with better qualities and shelf–life that consumers are seeking," said Dr. Yan. "We're enabling brands to quickly create products from innovative concepts, benchtop development, to pilot and full commercial manufacturing, with improved efficacy, taste, color, texture, and shelf life, along with vegan, organic, Kosher, or Halal certificate."

The FineCap platform investment builds on Blue California's 25–year legacy of producing botanical extracts and now natural flavors and fragrances and focuses on developing sustainable ingredients made through bioconversion or fermentation.

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About Blue California
Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science–based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care, and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural products and nature–inspired industries.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8415590)

Blue California Expands Natural Flavor and Fragrance Portfolio with Production of Clean, Natural, and Sustainable Nerolidol

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Dec. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California announced the expansion of its natural flavor and fragrance portfolio of captive ingredients by producing a clean, sustainable nerolidol.

Nerolidol is a rare sesquiterpene alcohol ubiquitous in nature and found in many flowers and plants, particularly in Seville orange flower, also known as Neroli, which gives the aroma chemical its name.

It is recognized for its floral, woody aroma and can also be described as a fresh scent, blending well with citrus, apple, or rose but light enough to complement any type of scent or flavor. Nerolidol is therefore ideal for use in many applications and known for its relaxing effects.

Many brands looking to make products at a large scale using nerolidol find it to be cost–prohibitive and, for that reason, it hasn't been widely used in modern–day product applications.

Yet, consumers seek clean–label fragrance products that are easy on the planet and fit into the clean and conscious fragrance and beauty movement. The Innova Beauty & Personal Care Survey 2020 notes that 51% of global consumers indicate that natural ingredients are very or extremely important to them when purchasing fragrances.

“Biotechnology is opening doors to sustainable ingredients that weren't previously possible,” said Kathy Oglesby, head of flavors and fragrances at Blue California. “Our collaboration with innovation partner Conagen provides efficient and effective commercialization, leading us to deliver to our client–creators a full range of captive ingredients, trademarked Plantarme, for use in our flavors and fragrances.”

Nerolidol is first in a full range of natural ingredients in the 2022 pipeline of Blue California's Taste, Smell, and Beauty Division. Conagen develops one of the most high–yielding fermentation platforms for producing sesquiterpenes and lactones.

With its functional advantages in many industries due to its moderate polarity and optical activity, nerolidol is also a useful, sustainable fine chemical intermediate.

“Nerolidol is a foundational material with many uses in many markets. Plantarme S is a sandalwood type material, and Plantarme M, which is a natural musk, are both creating a lot of excitement in the marketplace,” said Oglesby.

Until now, synthetic musk was primarily used in the fragrance industry because traditional musk sources were wild plants, too rare to be useful, or wild animals, like musk deer and civet cats, too endangered to be ethical. Conagen and Blue California have teamed together to develop a modern, one–of–a–kind, natural, domestic plant–derived musk that is safe, versatile, and biodegradable.

“The launch of nerolidol is symbolic of the collaboration between Blue California and Conagen as we advance in the markets we can serve,” said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D. vice president of innovation at Conagen. “Together, we are revolutionizing the flavor and fragrance ingredient industry with our disruptive capabilities for producing clean, sustainable solutions and product applications.”

About Blue California

Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science–based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care, and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural products and nature–inspired industries. www.bluecal–ingredients.com

About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing affiliates. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8412058)

Blue California Expands Natural Flavor and Fragrance Portfolio with Production of Clean, Natural, and Sustainable Nerolidol

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Dec. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California announced the expansion of its natural flavor and fragrance portfolio of captive ingredients by producing a clean, sustainable nerolidol.

Nerolidol is a rare sesquiterpene alcohol ubiquitous in nature and found in many flowers and plants, particularly in Seville orange flower, also known as Neroli, which gives the aroma chemical its name.

It is recognized for its floral, woody aroma and can also be described as a fresh scent, blending well with citrus, apple, or rose but light enough to complement any type of scent or flavor. Nerolidol is therefore ideal for use in many applications and known for its relaxing effects.

Many brands looking to make products at a large scale using nerolidol find it to be cost–prohibitive and, for that reason, it hasn't been widely used in modern–day product applications.

Yet, consumers seek clean–label fragrance products that are easy on the planet and fit into the clean and conscious fragrance and beauty movement. The Innova Beauty & Personal Care Survey 2020 notes that 51% of global consumers indicate that natural ingredients are very or extremely important to them when purchasing fragrances.

“Biotechnology is opening doors to sustainable ingredients that weren't previously possible,” said Kathy Oglesby, head of flavors and fragrances at Blue California. “Our collaboration with innovation partner Conagen provides efficient and effective commercialization, leading us to deliver to our client–creators a full range of captive ingredients, trademarked Plantarme, for use in our flavors and fragrances.”

Nerolidol is first in a full range of natural ingredients in the 2022 pipeline of Blue California's Taste, Smell, and Beauty Division. Conagen develops one of the most high–yielding fermentation platforms for producing sesquiterpenes and lactones.

With its functional advantages in many industries due to its moderate polarity and optical activity, nerolidol is also a useful, sustainable fine chemical intermediate.

“Nerolidol is a foundational material with many uses in many markets. Plantarme S is a sandalwood type material, and Plantarme M, which is a natural musk, are both creating a lot of excitement in the marketplace,” said Oglesby.

Until now, synthetic musk was primarily used in the fragrance industry because traditional musk sources were wild plants, too rare to be useful, or wild animals, like musk deer and civet cats, too endangered to be ethical. Conagen and Blue California have teamed together to develop a modern, one–of–a–kind, natural, domestic plant–derived musk that is safe, versatile, and biodegradable.

“The launch of nerolidol is symbolic of the collaboration between Blue California and Conagen as we advance in the markets we can serve,” said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D. vice president of innovation at Conagen. “Together, we are revolutionizing the flavor and fragrance ingredient industry with our disruptive capabilities for producing clean, sustainable solutions and product applications.”

About Blue California

Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science–based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care, and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural products and nature–inspired industries. www.bluecal–ingredients.com

About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing affiliates. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8412058)

Blue California Commercializes Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) for Supporting an Increased Healthspan

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California joins with the innovative Massachusetts–based biotech company Conagen to announce the commercialization of high–purity, fermentation–derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). A nature–based metabolic component which has caught the attention of health–conscious consumers for supporting energy and longevity.

The quest to age healthily and support longevity is surging among health–conscious consumers. "Consumers are reassessing their dietary regimen to make room for ingredients that can support an increased healthspan," said Chief Science Officer at Blue California, Dr. Priscilla Samuel.

NMN supplements are highly sought–after for healthy aging applications, including brain health, vitality, heart health, metabolic health, and even cosmetics. However, current NMN ingredients used in products on the market are mostly produced by chemical synthesis.

While consumers are exploring dietary supplements for a holistic approach to health, they are also demanding clean labels from their supplements, and moving away from synthetic ingredients. Blue California's fermentation–derived NMN opens new opportunities for producers to consider consumers' health more holistically while acquiring a closer–to–nature position.

NMN serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme present in all living cells and critical for mitochondrial function.

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.

"Our fermentation–derived offering is well–positioned to capitalize on the growing recognition of NMN as an important ingredient in the food and supplement spaces," said Samuel. "NMN is a well–known molecule in the longevity research community, and emerging research also suggests potential applications for immune health as well as sports nutrition."

Harvard professor David Sinclair, a well–recognized leader in the field of aging research, is an advocate of NMN for improving the health of aging populations.

"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 VP of Innovation at Conagen, Dr. Casey Lippmeier. "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."

As innovation in dietary supplemental nutrition advances, so does the growth of global vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS) launches. Mintel reported a growth of 67% of global VMS launches in Apr 2020 – Mar 2021, as compared to Apr 2016 – Mar 2017 —– where the United States leads the VMS market.

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About Blue California

Blue California is a vertically integrated technology company providing innovative ingredient solutions to global partners. With more than 20 years of innovation success, our ingredients are used in commercial products and applications in the industries of nutrition, personal care, healthy aging and wellness, functional food and beverage, and beauty. www.bluecal–ingredients.com

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality sustainable nature–based products through systems of manufacturing on a molecular level and fermentation basis. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8283439)

Blue California Opens New Possibilities in Functional Food and Beverages Following Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) GRAS Status

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California's Taxifolin BC–DHQ with super antioxidant and anti–inflammatory properties is now Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in a range of foods and beverages following a letter of no objection from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Naturally found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, Dihydroquercetin (DHQ), also known as taxifolin, is a flavonoid commonly found in apples, olive oil and red onions. As a flavonoid, taxifolin possesses powerful antioxidant and anti–inflammatory properties that may support immune health.

"This GRAS status is good news for consumers and brands alike, because it opens new doors for brands to create products that will excite health–conscious consumers," said Dr. Linda May–Zhang, research, science and innovation officer at Blue California. "DHQ is a powerful antioxidant that has a greater antioxidant capacity when compared to vitamin C, and it is ideal in a variety of on–trend food applications, including beverages, yogurt and chocolate products."

Health–conscious consumers are actively exploring new functional food and beverages for supporting immune health and wellness. Immune health will remain a top priority for consumers as 64% of global consumers are looking to improve their immunity over the next 12 months, reported by FMCG Gurus, Top Ten Trends for 2021, Dec. 2020.

DHQ seeks and neutralizes free radicals in the body, and its unique molecular structure makes it especially effective at preventing cellular damage. It can also play an important role in skin health since it protects cells and stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin.

"Taxifolin BC–DHQ has much to offer as a powerful antioxidant in food and beverages as it provides improved color stability for beverages, extends shelf life, and enhances flavor," said May–Zhang. "Not only is DHQ regarded as a promising ingredient to immune health, it may also be used in cosmetic applications for anti–aging and UV–protection."

Blue California offers food and beverage manufacturers its high purity Taxifolin BC–DHQ made by a sustainable process. Innovation partner Conagen developed a clean, reliable, and scalable DHQ using its proprietary bioconversion process, resulting in a sustainable production method.

“Conagen is unlocking novel compounds from nature which are more sustainable and offer better options for ingredient applications, said Dr. Casey Lippmeier, vice president of innovation at Conagen. "Our ability to rapidly scale–up and commercialize this and other novel ingredient solutions demonstrates our strength as a strategic service partner."

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Taxifolin BC–DHQ, is a registered trademark of Blue California, Inc.

About Blue California

Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science–based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural product and nature–inspired industries.

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop sustainable, nature–based molecules bio–manufactured into the highest quality products available. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. For more information, visit www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8242564)