Naturol Seeks Patent for New Oil-Extraction Technology

Naturol Seeks Patent for New Oil-Extraction Technology

LAS VEGAS--Naturol Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Naturol U.K.Ltd., announced a patent has been filed to protect its new technology forseparating oil from oil seeds. The filing of patents covering unique new foodadditive compositions and extracts by Naturol is an important step in expandingthe Naturol patent portfolio and establishing a proprietary presence in thecommercial marketplace for the company's technology. Because composition patentscover unique properties or combinations of food additives or extracts ratherthan the way the additives are produced, Naturol announced it would be able toprovide to its licensees and joint venture partners exclusive rights to newnutritional supplements.

According to the company, this new solvent-based technology is superior tothe conventional hexane-based process. Naturol oil seed processing systems willbe safer, easier to use, and emission-free, according to the company (www.naturol.net).The technology removes virtually all oils and fats from seeds, and theextraction process is conducted at around room temperature, meaning heatdegradation of the oils and protein, which occurs with hexane, has beenvirtually eliminated. In addition, the oil-free isolate that remains afterextraction has an increased ratio of high molecular weight to low molecularprotein, while at the same time having a substantially greater percentage ofabsorbable protein. And, according to the company, this new technology shouldprevent the loss of naturally occurring components such as vitamin E.