New Study Demonstrates that CAVACURMIN^®, a Gammadextrin Complex from WACKER, Increases Curcumin’s Bioavailability by a Factor of 40

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. However, because it is not water-soluble, it is not readily absorbed in the human bloodstream. With the aid of gammadextrin, curcumin’s bioavailability can be increased significantly – an effect that has now been scientifically proven once more.

An independent double-blind crossover clinical study performed in the USA compared the relative absorption of CAVACURMIN^® (gammadextrin-curcumin formulation) with pure curcumin extract (95%) and two commercially available curcumin preparations designed to increase bioavailability. After oral ingestion of the substance, the blood of the study participants was analyzed at regular intervals over the course of 12 hours. It was shown that CAVACURMIN^® was absorbed approximately 40 times more efficiently than the standard extract, and at least 4.6 times better than the next best comparable commercial product.

The cyclic oligosaccharide gammadextrin increases the bioavailability of curcumin due to its unique properties. Gammadextrin is hydrophilic on the outside with a hydrophobic cavity on the inside, which allows it to accommodate other hydrophobic substances. In this way, cyclodextrins can bind ingredients, release active agents or stabilize sensitive substances and interfaces.

To increase bioavailability, the water-soluble gammadextrin can encapsulate fat-soluble curcumin, for example. Hydrophobic curcumin thus gets a hydrophilic shell and therefore forms a molecular dispersion in water that leads to a much better absorption by the human body.

As a free-flowing, dispersible powder, CAVACURMIN^® is suitable not only for dry or powdered food supplements, such as tablets, capsules and energy bars, but also for functional beverages. The alternative that cyclodextrins offer for many food-supplement formulations is not only cholesterol-free and non-allergenic, but also plant-based. Produced enzymatically from starch, cyclodextrins are manufactured by WACKER entirely from renewable raw materials.

“We are very pleased with the positive results of the clinical study on the enhanced bioavailability of curcumin by gammadextrin,” said Helmut Reuscher, sales and technology director for Nutrition at WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS. “According to our customers, high bioavailability is getting more and more important in food supplements. We are very proud that our innovative cyclodextrin platform is finding more widespread use and allows our customers to make a contribution to the development of enhanced food supplements.”

You can find the published study “Analysis of different innovative formulations of curcumin for improved relative oral bioavailability in human subjects” at http://rdcu.be/piG3

WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS

Using advanced biotech processes, WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS provides tailored, innovative solutions and products to the life-science sector – including pharmaceutical proteins, cyclodextrins and fermentation-generated cysteine. Its portfolio is also complemented by catalog chemicals, such as acetylacetone and high-quality polyvinyl acetate solid resins. The division focuses on developing customized solutions for growth sectors, such as food ingredients, pharmaceutical actives and agrochemicals.