11.01.12
A new fiber designed by a food scientist at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, may improve digestive health and decrease the risk of colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and diverticulosis. Bruce Hamaker, the Roy L. Whistler Chair in Carbohydrate Science in the Department of Food Science, has developed a clinically tested, patent-pending designer fiber that is digested slower than other fiber, which could reduce digestive intolerance.
“The initial goal of the research was to address the problem of dietary fiber intolerance,” said Mr. Hamaker. “Intolerance is mainly caused by rapid fermentation, which occurs when bacteria extract energy from fiber.”
The Purdue-designed fiber travels through the large intestine, including the descending colon where illnesses often occur, and enables the bacteria in the large intestine to receive important nutrients.
Technology managers from Purdue have exclusively licensed the fiber to Nutrabiotix LLC, a Purdue Research Park-based company. Mark Cisneros, president and CEO of Nutrabiotix, reported the company is developing a granular fiber and a soluble fiber product. “My colleagues and I believe Nutrabiotix fiber can be sold in the dietary supplements market, the functional foods market and the medical foods market,” he said.
“The initial goal of the research was to address the problem of dietary fiber intolerance,” said Mr. Hamaker. “Intolerance is mainly caused by rapid fermentation, which occurs when bacteria extract energy from fiber.”
The Purdue-designed fiber travels through the large intestine, including the descending colon where illnesses often occur, and enables the bacteria in the large intestine to receive important nutrients.
Technology managers from Purdue have exclusively licensed the fiber to Nutrabiotix LLC, a Purdue Research Park-based company. Mark Cisneros, president and CEO of Nutrabiotix, reported the company is developing a granular fiber and a soluble fiber product. “My colleagues and I believe Nutrabiotix fiber can be sold in the dietary supplements market, the functional foods market and the medical foods market,” he said.
