While the North American distributor is targeting the nutritional supplement market to start with, it will plans to expand the new ingredient into functional foods and beverages. Ferlux Mediolanum's research and development has drawn on the field of polyphenoic chemistry to create its three new products: a cranberry extract for the prevention of urinary tract infections, a blackberry extract for anti-aging, and a blackcurrant extract for vascular protection. The company claims that while typical cranberry extracts contain less than 3 percent proanthocyanidins, its Extracyan extract contains more than 18 percent proanthocyanidins. Cranberries are best known is their ability to help with urinary tract infections, as the proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract. The group has a patented extraction process for blackcurrant, which it says allows it to preserve the nutritive and active constituents of the berry. By preventing the activity of collagenase and elastase, antioxidant anthocyanins play a protective role in the formation of and repair of vascular tissue. Ferlux Mediolanum claims to have fine-tuned its Extracyan blackcurrant extract to contain 40 percent anthocyanins. The company's Extracyan blackberry extract is standardized to contain more than 35 percent anthocyanins. Charles Bowman and Company is the exclusive distributor these products in North America. Ferlux Mediolanum Pharmaceuticals, based in Italy has become an industry leader in the development of new, original active ingredients.
