Taiyo is introducing SunActive IsoQ, a water-soluble form of quercetin precursor isoquercitrin with higher bioavailability than free quercetin. The first ingredient in the company’s series of enhanced bioavailable flavonoids, SunActive IsoQ is available in the US via the company’s exclusive distribution partner, NutriScience Innovation.
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in capers and onions, offers benefits in immune health, sports performance, antioxidant, cardioprotective, chondroprotective and allergy relief. Despite demand, however, free quercetin’s taste, solubility and bioavailability issues have long been obstacles for formulators.
SunActive IsoQ is derived from rutin (extracted from the Japanese Pagoda tree) using the company’s solvent-free, enzymatic process. The result is a water-soluble dietary ingredient, which Taiyo claims is chemically identical to isoquercetrin found in nature. Microencapsulation technology allows for it to be well absorbed and then converted to free quercetin in the body as demonstrated in a human clinical study. SunActive IsoQ is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) by a panel of independent experts.
“Improving the bioavailability of quercetin is a highly sought-after benefit to brands trying to formulate with quercetin and consumers who want effective results,” said Taiyo International Vice President Scott Smith.
The ingredient was recently tested in a clinical study with healthy human volunteers. The results, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, suggested its bioavailability may be up to 25 times higher than free quercetin.