TriNutra’s multifunctional thymoquinone composition granted European patent

06 Jun 2023 --- B’utyQuin, a Nigella sativa oil standardized to 3% thymoquinone and low free fatty acids developed by TriNutra with enhanced stability and bioavailability, has been granted a patent. Cosmetic applications for B’utyQuin include creams, oils, lotions and serums for the face, body, hair and scalp, oral care and intimate care.

The newly patented formula has the ability to improve skin appearance by brightening, smoothing, hydrating and evening the skin tone and surface. It also significantly improves scalp relief for seborrhea and dandruff. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in human clinical trials.

“What is extremely interesting are its antimicrobial effects that are broad spectrum. We demonstrate its detrimental antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans – both resistant and nonresistant strains,” Dr. Liki von-Oppen Bezalel, business development director at TriNutra, tells PersonalCareInsights.

“It has a distinct antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. And it also has an antiviral effect, for example, against the flu virus. These microorganisms are causing skin disorders and inhibiting their growth has health benefits preventing them.” 

These activities were compared to other similar oils that are not standardized and normally have lower levels of the active component thymoquinone and much higher free fatty acid level, which “interferes with and reduces the activity and benefits of the non-standardized oils.”

Formula with low free fatty acids
Thymoquinone, a key and potent active component in black seed oil, is unstable in the presence of oxidants like free fatty acids. This leads to reduced potency of the black seed oil and rancidity. TriNutra prioritized standardization and stabilization of its black seed oil to increase the bioavailability of thymoquinone.

“This patent shows that our standardized, cold-pressed, full-spectrum nigella sativa oil is both stable and highly bioavailable, contributing to its overall functionality and performance for skin health as a topical and oral solution,” says Morris Zelkha, CEO at TriNutra. 

“Our proprietary composition has been shown to improve several areas of skin health, including mitochondrial, microbial, inflammatory and fat metabolism functions and as an immune modulator.” B’utyQuin is highly bioavailable and exhibits strong antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. 

B’utyQuin supports a balanced inflammatory response and improves mitochondrial activity, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. It has a strong antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial effects. 

Antioxidant effects
B’utyQuin’s antioxidant effect was measured as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and the Trolox Equivalent. It is shown to prevent oxidative damage within tissues, cells and the mitochondria protecting against damaging effects.

Von-Oppen Bezalel explains: “We started with a plant breeding program that allowed a higher yield of thymoquinone in the seeds. This allowed us to be able to have a cold-pressed oil (the low temperature that keeps the oil from being oxidized) and maintain a full spectrum content.”

“We make sure to measure and keep free fatty acids levels very low, which is one key factor in the oil stability. To that, we add just a little bit of a proprietary composition of sunflower derivatives that assist in increasing, even more, the stability as well as the bioavailability.”

Prior to receiving the European patent, the company received a UPS monograph announcement and a US patent for black seed oil and omega 3 compositions. 

By Inga de Jong