NutraSelen®

THD-177

Based on a new concept of L-selenomethionine (SeMet) precursor, we have designed Se-containing molecules which are proprietary organic compounds (patent N° FR2873376, US2006105960, WO2006008190). The synthesis process of the basic structure NutraSelen® (THD-177), i.e., D,L-2-hydroxy-4-(methylseleno)butanoic acid, is simple and cost effective compared to that of SeMet. We have shown that NutraSelen® can be converted into SeMet, e.g. by yeasts [1] and bacteria (manuscript in preparation).

THD-177_bioconversion

Stable and easy to formulate, NutraSelen® provides a reliable organic source of Se which has a great potential for Se supplementation in animal- and human nutrition. For such applications, potential uses of NutraSelen® are:

  • Dietary ingredient ---> Direct incorporation in food supplements
  • Substrate for Se enrichment ---> Substitution of selenite to prepare Se-enriched microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria for example) or Se-enriched food (eggs and milk for example)

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently approved the following health claims to support selenium forms authorized for addition to foods and for use in food supplements [2,3]:

  • Selenium contributes to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage
  • Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system
  • Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function
  • Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis function
  • Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair
  • Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails

A licensing agreement was signed to use NutraSelen® in Animal Nutrition.

Recent publications emphasizing the role of selenium in Nutrition, Pharmacology and Aging are listed in our topic "Selenium".

If you are interested in testing NutraSelen®, please do not hesitate to contact us.

References

  1. Simultaneous speciation of selenomethionine and 2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic acid by HPLC–ICP MS in biological samples — VACCHINA V. et al. — 2010 — J. Chromatogr. B, vol. 878, pp. 1178-1180
  2. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 277, 283, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293, 1751) , function of the immune system (ID 278), thyroid function (ID 279, 282, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293), function of the heart and blood vessels (ID 280), prostate function (ID 284), cognitive function (ID 285) and spermatogenesis (ID 396) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(9):1220. [24 pp.]. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1220. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu
  3. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and maintenance of normal hair (ID 281), maintenance of normal nails (ID 281), protection against heavy metals (ID 383), maintenance of normal joints (ID 409), maintenance of normal thyroid function (ID 410, 1292), protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 410, 1292), and maintenance of the normal function of the immune system (ID 1750) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010; 8(10):1727. [18 pp.]. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1727. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal.htm