MPOB develops three palm-based technologies for commercialisation

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has developed three advanced palm-based technologies for commercialisation.

In a statement on Friday, it said the first is the process and formulation of palm vitamin E/ tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) chewable tablet. The second is palm oil-based polyol for floor coverings for indoor and outdoor and sports flooring markets while the third is a moisturising hand sanitiser with Vitamin E. MPOB said the three are among the technologies approved by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities for commercialisation.

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Patient-derived Nerve Cells May Help Advance Pompe Research

As a proof-of-concept, the team evaluated the effects of treating the cells with a lab-made GAA — obtained after infusions of Lumyzime (alglucosidase alfa), an enzyme replacement therapy — delta-tocopherol, and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Delta-tocopherol and HPβCD are two structurally distinct small molecules previously shown to lessen disease features in cellular and animal models of lysosomal storage diseases.

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Palm oil may help fight cancer

Research by medical experts have revealed that palm tocotrienols act on three different mechanisms in the hallmarks of cancer – tumour suppressors, immune modulation and inflammation. Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) research officer, Dr Fu Ju Yen said the hypothesis on the study conducted showed enhanced absorption of tocotrienols by eight-fold when delivered via nanocarriers.

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Vitamin E from palm oil useful in boosting immune response based on studies on liver cells

A team of researchers from Malaysia and Libya recently investigated the effect of tocotrienols extracted from palm oil on mice liver cells. The team investigated the expression levels of genes influenced by a transcription factor Nrf2, and the translocation of the same factor into the cellular nucleus. Nrf2 is known to upregulate phase II drug metabolism in reaction to metabolic processes. The genes activate cellular defense mechanisms. “Our study is the first in vivo study on the effect of tocotrienols on Nrf2on genetic material in the nucleus.,” says Azman Abdullah (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), corresponding author of the study.

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Bone health ingredients for dietary supplements: Calcium and beyond

Jia Zhang Lee, executive director, Davos Life Science (Singapore), has safety in mind, too, when he talks about the category of tocotrienols and the future of his company’s tocotrienols ingredient, DavosLife E3.

In layman’s terms, tocotrienols and their siblings, tocopherols, are part of the vitamin E family. The Office of Dietary Supplements explains that naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol; and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) that have varying levels of biological activity. Vegetable oils are a good source of tocotrienols, especially palm oil and rice bran oil.

When it comes to trends in the bone health category for supplements and functional food, Lee sees movement toward “taking preventative measures with a focus on naturally sourced ingredients. People are realizing that health is something to be preserved rather than fixed,” he says. “They are looking for ways to maintain health and wellness as they age.”

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