Burcon Granted Patents for Canola Protein Extraction, Functionality

Burcon Granted Patents for Canola Protein Extraction, Functionality

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Burcon NutraScience Corp. gained two new U.S. patents for extraction technology and new applicationssurrounding its canola protein isolate. The first patent, U.S. Patent No.6,992,173 B2, Protein Extraction from Canola Oil Seed Meal, involves animproved process for recovery of protein from canola oil seed meal and other oilseed meals. The process improves the yield and quality of protein isolatethrough processing modifications to the input oilseed meal instead of the use ofconventional meal. The second patent, U.S. Patent No. 7,001,990, CanolaProtein Isolate Functionality II, covers functional attributes of Burconscanola protein isolates Puratein® and Supertein for uses includingemulsification of salad dressings.

The company (www.burcon.ca) now holds four U.S. patents surrounding canolaprotein isolate processing technology and applications. Burcon has filed 19other patent applications involving canola ingredients; the applications arecurrently under review by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Over the past six years, our team has invested a tremendous amount ofresources, both financial and human, into the development of numerousinnovations that strengthen our protein extraction technology, said JohannTergesen, president and chief operating officer (COO). The proteins we arenow able to produce have the potential to open up some exciting large-marketfood and beverage applications and our intellectual property portfolio will bethe key to protecting that commercial opportunity. Intellectual property is ourprincipal asset and as such we will continue to pursue additional patentsvigorously.