Naturex is expanding its Koji minerals portfolio with the launch of Ultimine, a zinc ingredient, which was developed in partnership with Cura Global Health, as an ingredient solution for supplements, foods, and beverages. Other Koji ingredients in this portfolio include Ultimine Iron and Ultimine Multi 7. It is available in powder and granule form, and is suitable for use in tablets, capsules, and gummies, and guarantees compliance with non-GMO, Kosher Pareve, Halal, and vegan labeling. Koji mold is a fungus used to ferment many foods and beverages in Japan, such as soy sauce, miso, sake, and more. Koji has seen increased consumer interest like many other fermented foods and beverages including kombucha, kefir, kimchi, and vinegar.
 
Ultimine zinc comes with an 11 mg dose of zinc in a 200 mg serving, and is produced using a patented fermentation process during which koji culture biomass incorporates food grade zinc. The resulting product is a dried biomass, rich in protein, that naturally encapsulates the zinc, allowing it to have a wholefood source.
 
In December, Ultimine zinc and other Ultimine products achieved GRAS status for legal use in a wide range of applications, including functional drinks, fruit juice, breakfast cereals and bars, meat substitutes, rice, and pasta. The FDA responded to the companies GRAS noties with a “no objection letter,” thereby agreeing with the safety assessment under the condition of use.
 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, nearly one third of the global population suffers from a zinc deficiency, and zinc is considered one of six essential minerals that are key to fighting micronutrient malnutrition.
 
“Ultimine Zinc is the world’s first fermented wholefood zinc supplement,” Timothée Olagne, global category director for Naturex, said. “It delivers high levels of zinc in a small dose and can be used in a range of food and nutrition applications. With broadly recognized regulatory acceptance, it offers and exciting new source of zinc, an important nutrient that many people do not get enough of.”