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DES MOINES, Iowa, U.S. (September 7, 2023) – Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office for its method to promote the growth of new neural cells using Neumentix^™, a water-soluble spearmint extract that supports working memory. The patent (number EP 3 538 085 B1) was granted on July 12, 2023, and validated in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This is the fourth patent that Kemin Human Nutrition and Health has filed and been granted for its proprietary spearmint extract.¹

Neumentix, a natural nootropic rich in polyphenols, was developed for neural health and contains more than 50 phenolic compounds, including rosmarinic, salvianolic and lithospermic acids. Neumentix targets the hippocampus—one of the few areas of the adult human brain that can produce new nerve cells throughout one’s lifespan. The rate of neurogenesis in the hippocampus has been found to decrease with age, stress, sleep deprivation and other factors affecting cognitive performance. Research shows that the phenolic complex in Neumentix promotes new neuron growth in the hippocampus, which can improve the ability to learn, manage information and react.^2-5 

"This patent confirms the novelty of research findings on Neumentix’s ability to grow new neurons in the brain,” Brenda Fonseca, Global Technical Services Lead, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, and inventor listed on the patent. “Our research has indicated that Neumentix, sourced from patented plants and characterized by its phenolic complex, works to nourish the neurons in the brain and may increase new neural growth in specific areas of the brain, providing an important source of neuronutrition to fuel brain performance in healthy adults.”

In addition to working memory, Neumentix provides other cognitive benefits, such as focus, sustained attention and enhanced physical performance, and can be formulated into a variety of applications. Neumentix acts on adults’ neural tissues in six key ways:^6-11

• Decreasing oxidative stress
• Reducing inflammatory markers
• Increasing neurotrophin levels
• Protecting neuronal cells
• Elevating neurotransmitter levels
• Promoting new neuronal growth

"Delivering high-quality, unique, patented and science-backed ingredients is extremely important to Kemin, because our customers provide supplements, foods and beverages that help improve the quality of life for those around the world," added Fonseca. "Backed by over 19 peer-reviewed scientific publications covering clinical and preclinical research, as well as spearmint plant features, Neumentix is a great choice for manufacturers looking to formulate with safe, sustainable and scientifically backed brain health ingredients to help promote new neuronal growth.”

Click here to learn more about the Kemin line of naturally sourced functional ingredients for use in a range of dietary nutrition products, including supplements, beverages and snack foods.

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About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.


Media Contact:
Carrie Livingston, Vice President of Media Relations, Colin Kurtis | carrie@colinkurtis.com, +1 815 519 8302


REFERENCES:
¹Spearmint plant denominated KI-MsEM0110, US 9545075, issued January 17, 2017, Spearmint plant denominated KI-MsEM0042, US 9545076, issued January 17, 2017 and Plant Material Drying Methods" (KEM 179 US) issued on December 12, 2017 as United States Patent US9839661.
²Nieman et al., (2015, Funct Foods Health Disease)
³Herrlinger et al. (2018, Journal Compl and Alt Med)
⁴Falcone et al. (2018, J. ISSN)
⁵Falcone et al. (2019, Nutrition Research))
⁶KHTL-017-134 (TL-16-00075) Key Polyphenols in Neumentix Can Act in Multiple Ways to Support Cognitive Performance
⁷Locri F. et al. Nutrients. Dec 3;11(12). pii: E2931
⁸Cammalleri et al. Nutrients 2020, 12; 1189
⁹Taira et al., J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Aug;29(8):104818
¹⁰Bian et al. Current Neovascular Research,2020 17 1-8
¹¹Amato et al. IOVS June 2023, Vol.64, 2586