Giving away nutraceutical secrets to other manufacturers isn’t a bad thing, says one of the founders of Fytokem.
“It helps us,” said Warren Steck, who established Fytokem after retiring from the Plant Biotechnology Institute at the University of Saskatchewan.
The small, publicly traded company is spending a $61,000 government grant to compile chemical and processing information on about 30 native Saskatchewan plants.
Results of the study will be given to other companies and producer groups who need more information to take processed natural products to the market.
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Steck said the data will be useful to other users, but Fytokem will gain much by learning how to perfect its research methods, which it will need to increase its product line.
Fytokem is now marketing a fireweed extract to skin care companies. It has sold small amounts to processors, but has made no major sales. It is also developing a number of other plant extracts.
Steck said Fytokem decided it needs to be better at fully researching all the aspects of its products because of an embarrassing experience.
When Fytokem was trying to convince a company to use one of its extracts, the company asked whether the extract was toxic.
Fytokem had not done a toxicology test. Fortunately, when it did test, the extract proved to be safe. But Steck said his company and others wouldn’t want to face the same situation.
The research, which is being funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund, will look at toxicity, agronomic necessities and whether extracts really are novel and legally patentable.
Steck said doing research for others should hone Fytokem’s manufacturing edge.
