Nova Mentis Launches Precision-Fermented Hydroxytyrosol, Polyphenol-HT1

Biotechnology company Nova Mentis has launched Polyphenol-HT1, a precision-fermented form of hydroxytyrosol, one of the most recognized bioactive polyphenols associated with olives and the Mediterranean diet.

Hydroxytyrosol is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in olives and olive oil and has attracted significant scientific interest for its antioxidant properties and role in helping protect cells and lipids from oxidative stress. Growing research into hydroxytyrosol has created opportunities for its use across healthy aging, cardiovascular health, cellular wellness and more.

“Hydroxytyrosol has a compelling story that connects decades of research around the Mediterranean diet with some of the biggest priorities shaping nutrition today, including healthy aging, cardiovascular health and cellular resilience,” said Matt Braman, vice president of sales at Nova Mentis. “With HT1, we’re taking that science forward through precision fermentation and giving product developers a new way to incorporate hydroxytyrosol into next-generation nutritional products.”

Olive oil is one of the defining components of the Mediterranean diet, but its nutritional story extends beyond its fatty acid profile. Olives and extra virgin olive oil also contain a range of polyphenols, with hydroxytyrosol recognized as one of the most important bioactive components.

While conventional olive extraction can introduce impurities and batch-to-batch inconsistencies, HT1 maintains consistent high purity. The precision fermentation process bypasses the need for olive extraction, providing a consistent and scalable source of the bioactive while opening new possibilities for its use in nutritional formulations.

“Precision fermentation allows us to rethink how important nutritional compounds can be produced,” said Kevin O’ Connor, chief science officer. “Rather than being limited by traditional agricultural extraction, we can focus on delivering a defined highly pure bioactive with the consistency and scalability that today’s product developers require.”

Oxidative stress is closely connected with many of the biological processes associated with aging, making antioxidant compounds an important area of nutritional research and product innovation. Hydroxytyrosol’s antioxidant activity gives HT1 a particularly relevant positioning within this evolving healthy aging conversation. The ingredient is well-suited for nutraceuticals in the healthy aging, heart health, cellular health, antioxidant, metabolic support, beauty from within, gut health, and cognitive support categories.

The introduction of HT1 is the company’s first step in a broader strategy to establish hydroxytyrosol as a foundational ingredient in healthy aging and wellness.

“We believe hydroxytyrosol has an opportunity to become much more prominent within the nutritional products industry,” said Braman. “HT1 brings together the heritage of the Mediterranean diet, the growing science around hydroxytyrosol and the capabilities of precision fermentation. That combination gives us an exciting platform for where nutrition is heading next.”