U.S. Nutraceuticals: Brand New Yet Years Of Experience Behind It

U.S. Nutraceuticals, Eustis, FL, began as a vertically integrated supplier of saw palmetto extracts utilizing its abundant land holding as a source of raw materials and developing an innovative twist on the super critical CO2 extraction process. The company has grown in the past three years to include a new corporate office in Eustis, drying and warehousing facilities in LaBelle, FL and herb growing and processing facilities in Boone, NC and Pikeville, KY. The LaBelle plant specifically processes saw palmetto, while the Boone facility grows and processes a wide variety of herbs.

The company’s expansion is highlighted by the addition of four key personnel. First is Tony Evans, Ph.D., who has been named vice president of product development. Dr. Evans walked through the door with several great ideas that are already available as innovative products, including Pe­Tect™, a veterinary antioxidant. Secondly, Wolf Aulenbacher has signed on to head the marketing department and is committed to enhancing the company’s presence throughout the industry. Thirdly, Uy Nguyen, Ph.D., one of the world’s experts on super critical fluid extraction technology, took the reins as vice president of technology. Dr. Nguyen’s expertise is being put to the test as he finalizes plans for the company’s 3 x 150 liter super critical extraction facility in Eustis. And last but not least, Chuck Wanzer has assumed the role of vice president of sales and raw materials supply. After over a decade with Wilcox Natural Products, Mr. Wanzer has developed a keen sense for sourcing ethically harvested medicinal botanicals. This expertise, combined with the SuPure high pressure CO2 extraction process, allows U.S. Nutraceuticals to provide the industry with high quality botanical extracts.

U.S. Nutraceuticals’ SuPure process is used to extract and fractionate items. Mr.Wanzer commented on the process, “At such high pressures and specific temperatures a multitude of characteristics can be modified. For example, a certain smell can be removed or a particular taste component can be en­hanced. We can go so far as to decaffeinate a product or isolate sterols in a saw palmetto extract.” Mr. Wanzer also noted, “A great benefit of this extraction and fractionation process is that there are no toxic solvents involved and the process is kind to the environment.”

U.S. Nutraceuticals uses the SuPure extraction process to specifically produce SuPure saw palmetto, called SawPalmesterol, kava extracts, ginger extracts, rosemary extracts, coffee extracts and St. John’s Wort extracts. A line of veterinary antioxidants and ethically harvested medicinal botanicals are also available.

Currently, U.S. Nutraceuticals is working on clinical trials of its products because of the belief that science backed processes and products are the only way to do business. According to Mr. Wanzer, “Concentrated activity has surrounded the supercritical fluid extraction process, which has a long history of successful use for extraction of plants and plant based products. We are constantly looking for ways to expand on that scientific base.”

The new 3 x 150 liter super critical extraction facility, for which the company broke ground in March 2001, is one of many steps this manufacturer is taking to position itself as the premier supplier of solvent free, high quality botanical extracts. The new facility will be fully operational in early 2002.

U.S. Nutraceuticals begins its quality control program in the field. All of the botanical raw materials are ethically harvested by individuals who are as concerned as U.S. Nutraceuticals is with quality. The company contracts with harvesters prior to the harvest and, whenever possible, contract directly with landowners to assure that private property rights are not violated. U.S. Nutraceuticals goes to great lengths to assure raw materials are harvested at their peak ripeness. In order to maintain their quality, the raw materials are dried in as low a temperature as is feasible. Raw materials are cleaned before and after drying and assigned lot numbers. Botanical raw materials are carefully tracked from the time of harvest until the completion of the extraction process or until they are sold, in bulk, to the customer. The SuPure extraction process is organic, Kosher certified, and meets or exceeds the FDA’s proposed GMP’s for dietary supplements and ISO 9000 standards.—J.C.

U.S. Nutraceuticals, L.L.C.
2231 W. Highway 44, Suite 3
Eustis, FL 32726
Telephone: 352-357-2004
Fax: 352-483-2095
E-mail: rxgonzalez@usnutra.com.

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