News & Topics

Oct 16, 2014

β-cryptoxanthin for the prevention of metabolic syndrome
Release of functional food material "Cryptobeta"
derived from Satsuma mandarin

ARKRAY, Inc. (hereinafter 'ARKRAY') will release a paste-form functional food material Cryptobeta, which contains highly-concentrated β-cryptoxanthin derived from domestically-grown Satsuma mandarin.
β-cryptoxanthin is a type of carotenoid pigments*¹. Satsuma mandarin is known to contain a high level of β-cryptoxanthin.

Studies*² and epidemiological surveys have shown that a high intake of β-cryptoxanthin reduces the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, hepatic dysfunction and arteriosclerosis. As such, the material has been attracting increasing attention for its health benefits.

Cryptobeta is a paste-form material with orange flavor and can be used as an ingredient of anti-metabolic syndrome drinks and gels. Along with the already-released Biletin*³ (Shikuwasa fruit extract) and Rapten*⁴ (Citrus hassaku oil extract), Cryptobeta will make up the ARKRAY's traditional Japanese citrus material line. ARKRAY will make plans and proposals on final food products making use of characteristics of each material.

ARKRAY will continue working primarily with traditional Japanese ingredients to research and develop unique functional foods and to contribute to health.

ARKRAY's functional food materials

ARKRAY applied the knowledge and technical know-how gained through its primary business of diabetes test instruments and reagents to enter the functional food market back in 2006 and continues to focus research primarily on compounds in herbs and citrus fruit. ARKRAY started distributing Biletin (Shikuwasa fruit extract) in 2010, and Rapten (Citrus hassaku oil extract) in 2013. The Cryptobeta will be added as the 4^th citrus material.

Satsuma mandarin

Product appearance

References

(Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan 2010)

•Amount of β-cryptoxanthin contained in fresh fruit and vegetables

•Efficacy test (mouse)

•Efficacy test (human)

Terminology

*1 A carotenoid is a yellow or red pigment component with powerful antioxidant properties. It is widely present in animals and plants. Carotenoids are represented by β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and astaxanthin. Carotenoid-rich foods include green and yellow vegetables, citrus fruit, persimmons, corns, seaweeds, shrimps, salmon roe, egg yolk, etc.

*2 Studies on β-cryptoxanthin were presented in the 28^th Annual Meeting of Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (October 2007), the 62nd Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science (May 2008), the 29th Annual Meeting of Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (October 2008) and the 63rd Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science (May 2009), where there were reports that β-cryptoxanthin suppresses enlargement of fat cells, which could cause metabolic syndrome, and significantly decreases cholesterol level (Collaborative studies by Laboratory of Pomology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University and ARKRAY).

*3 Biletin is an extract from Shikuwasa fruit grown in Okinawa. It contains a high concentration of nobiletin and has properties that work against metabolic syndrome and arteriosclerosis.

*4 Rapten is a refined powder of aurapten, a type of coumalin found in abundance in the peel of citrus fruit. It is insoluble in water but soluble in oil. Aurapten has been shown to have anti-metabolic syndrome, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyloric bacterial properties.

Product specifications for the functional food: Cryptobeta

This product is sold through Karada Support Institute.
Karada Support Institute is the R&D and sales business within the ARKRAY Group in charge of functional food materials.