Brightseed has launched a dietary hemp fiber called Bio 01, which the company said is the only fiber that contains two bioactive compounds shown to support gut barrier activity in preclinical studies.
 
The new fiber ingredient was showcased in a number of prototypes, including a protein crisp ingredient it developed jointly with Puris, a supplier of plant-based proteins, starches, and grains.
 
Brightseed utilizes an artificial intelligence (AI) platform called Forager, which identifies molecular structures and novel compounds in plant bioactives while taking into account how different factors influence phytochemical expression and bioactive potency. It is able to identify which plant compounds may exert the strongest potential bioactivity at a fast clip from a database of hundreds of thousands of bioactive compounds.
 
“We’re thrilled to launch Brightseed Bio 01, the first of many bioactive ingredients in Brightseed’s pipeline that will enable companies to innovate for health and bring science-backed solutions forward for consumers,” said Sofia Elizondo, co-founder and COO at Brightseed. “More than ever, people are turning to the food and beverage industry for proactive and personalized health solutions. Brightseed Bio 01 is the latest demonstration of how Forager AI is furthering our understanding of how bioactives found in nature are powerful catalysts to improve human healthspan.”
 
The two compounds which Bio 01 contains are N-trans-caffeoyl tyramine (NCT) and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (NFT), which have been evidenced to maintain gut barrier activity in preclinical settings, and human clinical studies are underway to validate this evidence. Hemp hulls were identified by Forager as the richest known source of NCT and NFT, and are upcycled by Brightseed from hemp heart production.
 
Brightseed Bio 01 can be integrated into cereals, granolas, nutrition bars, functional beverages, and other popular items, the company reports. The crisp it developed with Puris is designed for inclusion in cereals, bars, and baked goods, where it can deliver a high protein and high fiber crunch.
 
“Sustainability and innovation are the core of what we do at Puris. Partnering with Brightseed on a crisp that revitalizes a fiber stream to create a complete plant protein encompasses what we see as the future of the plant-based space,” said Tyler Lorenzen, CEO, Puris Proteins.
 
“Bioactives have been missing from American diets, and attention to their functions is the future of better-for-you products. Puris is excited to partner with Brightseed on a novel protein crisp that targets the fiber deficit and rising consumer demand for gut health solutions,” said Anna Gustafson, RDN and business development executive at Puris.
 
“Puris is an ideal partner that is at the forefront of plant-based, sustainability-focused health innovation that solves challenges food companies face, and we’re thrilled to debut Brightseed Bio 01 with them in a revolutionary protein crisp for immediate consumer product integration,” said Alina Slotnik, VP of bioactives, Brightseed. “Brightseed Bio 01 not only demonstrates how Forager is rapidly translating insights into tangible products for the marketplace but offers a true evolution in the field of nutrition science to benefit consumer health.”