Z Trim Holdings’ (ZTH’s) first soluble fiber patent (U.S. Patent Application No. 20140017376) is publicly available online.
The patent was originally filed in 2013 by Z Trim’s partner, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Included in the patent are claims covering the manufacturing process, composition of matter and applications for Z Trim’s second product, currently called BFG.
“The deficiency of dietary fiber in everyday foods has long been recognized as a problem,” said CEO Ed Smith,
“Even though few outside of the food science community are familiar with arabanoxylans and their well-documented health benefits, we look forward to telling the world how our soluble fiber product can help address a number of interrelated health issues now that we can share the contents of our first patent application in this area.”
“In addition, I believe the superior functionality and attractive economics at scale will prove to be an added bonus.”
“We are hard at work introducing our soluble fiber to the who’s who of fiber, nutrition and food companies,” said VP of technology Kyle Hanah.
“The good news is that the road has been paved for us by the scientists who have studied arabanoxylans at lab scale over the last five decades.”
“We are fortunate to stand on their shoulders as we seek to bring our soluble fiber to the masses. To that end, we would welcome inquiries from more companies and scientists interested in sharing our vision.”
“Speaking for myself personally as one of the inventors,” said Dr. Kevin B. Hicks, a recently retired Research Leader at the USDA’s Eastern Regional Research Center.
“It is gratifying to be involved with a novel product like BFG. Its functionality as an emulsifier and microencapsulator could be a game changer for the flavor and fragrance industries while its unique composition indicates that it could be a very effective source of natural dietary fiber.”
“While this first soluble fiber patent application provides broad protection for the second component of Z Trim’s fractionating platform for all lignocellulosic feedstocks,” said Gordon Brunner, external intellectual property consultant and a former CTO of Procter & Gamble.
