Brassica Protection Products LLC, Baltimore, MD, has expanded its current worldwide exclusive license agreement with Johns Hopkins University. Brassica is licensing the intellectual property surrounding the extraction technology for the class of phytonutrients glucosinolates (e.g. glucoraphanin) and isothiocyanates (e.g. sulforaphane) from most cruciferous seeds and sprouts, particularly broccoli. Additionally, the intellectual property covers a variety of uses for specific health benefits related to these phytonutrients, such as antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative stress.
 
Brassica Protection Products produces the SGS branded source of glucoraphanin, which contains the highest level of glucoraphanin of any broccoli extract on the market, according to the company. SGS glucoraphanin can be found in a variety of nutritional supplements and Brassica Tea.
 
“We are excited to expand our license from Johns Hopkins University,” said Tony Talalay, CEO of Brassica Protection Products. “Brassica provides a unique source of glucoraphanin that can’t easily be replicated. Our goal is to continue to deliver this trusted and consistent source of glucoraphanin for use in supplements and beverages. The health implications of research on the compounds in broccoli are profound, and we will continue to look for ways to bring scientifically meaningful broccoli products to consumers and health practitioners.”
 
Glucoraphanin is the important phytonutrient in broccoli that provides a significant number of health benefits related to the up-regulation of phase 2 detoxification enzymes. When consumed, glucoraphanin is converted to a potent antioxidant and cellular protector called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is produced in the body when the enzyme myrosinase, also present in broccoli, interacts with glucoraphanin upon damage (such as chewing) to the plant. Broccoli seeds and young sprouts contain 20 to 50 times more glucoraphanin than adult broccoli. If glucoraphanin is consumed without myrosinase – as in a supplement form – the body’s natural microflora will convert the glucoraphanin to sulforaphane.
 
“The amount of glucoraphanin in broccoli is highly variable and therefore so is the sulforaphane it can produce. These phytonutrients are much more concentrated in specific types of broccoli seeds and sprouts,” said Talalay. “With more than 12 years of experience producing the SGS brand of glucoraphanin, we understand that not all broccoli extracts on the market are created equal. We combine our extensive knowledge in sourcing broccoli seeds and extracting glucoraphanin with careful manufacturing controls to ensure we deliver reliable and meaningful amounts of glucoraphanin.”
 
SGS glucoraphanin is made from seeds grown in the U.S. The glucoraphanin is extracted from seeds using a proprietary water extraction method. SGS glucoraphanin is self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and is both Kosher and Halal.
 
SGS glucoraphanin can be found in numerous products throughout the world, including Brassica Teas with SGS, Xymogen’s OncoPLEX, i5 Energize and Nrf2 Activator, Thorne’s Crucera-SGS and MediClear-SGS, Nuskin’s ageLOC R2, Max International’s Max N-Fuze and Metagenics’ GlutaClear.