Rebecca Wright05.01.10
The last time Nutraceuticals World caught up with Primex in March 2000, the world had just entered a new millennium and the company had recently entered the U.S. market with its revolutionary chitosan product, ChitoClear. Back then the company was based in Norway, but since then it has acquired the marine biotech company Kitin and relocated its operations to Siglufjordur, Iceland.
It is from the pristine waters of the North Atlantic that surround Iceland that the company extracts its marine nutrients, which it markets to the nutritional supplement, cosmetic, food and biomedical product industries worldwide.
“Our principle raw material is the shell of North Atlantic coldwater shrimp (Pandalus borealis), which are harvested by local shrimp fishermen,” said Sigridur Vigfusdottir, marketing manager. “The combination of using shell from shrimp grown in untainted waters and employing our unique processing technology allows Primex to produce the purest and most effective chitosan on the market today.”
The company’s product portfolio includes the aforementioned ChitoClear chitosan, which is a colorless, tasteless, odorless powder that is free of allergens, viruses and other contaminants. In addition, its LipoSan Ultra ingredient is a unique, patented and clinically proven weight loss product.
Offering more specifics on the processing of LipoSan, Ms. Vigfusdottir explained, “Processing starts with chitosan and ends up as something that is completely unique. Succinic acid, a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) food additive, is incorporated into the chitosan during processing to significantly alter its physical structure. The result is a highly integrated organic acid/fiber matrix that is rapidly soluble in acid media.”
Although chitosan had been shown to be effective as a weight loss tool, Ms. Vigfusdottir says its performance was inconsistent due to the slow rate of solubility in stomach acid. “Using Primex’s patented process,” she said, “we were able to create LipoSan Ultra chitosan, which is rapidly soluble in acid. As a result, LipoSan Ultra was able to deliver superior weight loss performance as demonstrated by clinical study.”
Going into more detail regarding the advantages of sourcing in Iceland, Ms. Vigfusdottir said, “Scientific research shows quite clearly that the Icelandic fishing grounds are virtually free from pollution and that Icelandic seafood is wholesome and nutritious.” She noted that the country’s remoteness from industrial nations, its small population, and occupational structure allow it to avoid the types of pollution that plague other parts of the world.
She cautioned, however, that no country is an island when it comes to ocean pollution.”Industrial waste from different parts of the globe can gradually spoil the fishing grounds,” she explained. “Iceland is volcanic in nature and situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge. It is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and borders on the Arctic, but it remains a temperate area as defined by oceanographic and climatic criteria.
“Iceland is also surrounded by strong atmospheric and oceanic currents, which have a fundamental influence on its marine environment,” she continued. “A close watch on the whole area is therefore important for safeguarding the cleanliness of Icelandic waters and, consequently, the wholesomeness of Icelandic seafood products, including chitosan made from shrimp shell.”
Commenting on the state of the nutraceuticals industry, Ms. Vigfusdottir offered, “The industry is very solid and strong, even in today’s economic uncertainty. People all over the world want to be healthy and are seeking more information not only about the foods they eat, but also ways of supplementing with safe and healthy products.The opportunity for growth is apparent on an almost daily basis, as new information regarding diet and wellness is constantly reshaping the direction of our industry.”
As a responsible member of the nutraceuticals industy, Ms. Vigfusdottir says Primex is always looking at new applications for its materials, which will help enhance people’s lives around the globe.—R.W.
Primex ehf
Oskarsgata 7
580 Siglufjordur, Iceland
Telephone: 354-460-6900
Fax: 354-460-6909
E-mail: sigga@primex.is
Website: www.primex.com
