kemin plant science plant science.pdf · world’s most advanced oregano breeding, cultivation and...
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As the world’s populationcontinues to grow and resourcesbecome more limited, Keminbelieves it is our responsibility todiscover more sustainablemethods for producing ingredientsthat improve the quality of life.
For more than a decade, the KeminSpecialty Crop Improvement (SCI)plant science program has harnessedsunlight, soil, carbon dioxide andwater to manufacture molecules inlines of scientifically advancedoregano, rosemary, spearmint, potatoand marigold. The specific moleculesextracted from our botanicalsdisplace those made with syntheticchemical reactions.
Our renewably produced moleculescan be formulated into ingredientsthat provide benefits across globalanimal feed, pet food, food, dietarysupplement, personal care andcommercial horticulture markets.
FindingMolecularNeedles inBotanical HayStacksOur SCI process begins with bio-prospecting, a specific type ofbotanical research, to identify plantsthat naturally produce moleculeswith potential active or functionalbenefits for the markets we serve
Designing the Perfect Plant
When the plant species is identified,our team of plant breeders, plantbiochemists and analytical chemistsuse conventional breedingtechniques to develop thousands ofunique individuals of the plant.
unique individuals of the plant.
The variation is biochemicallymeasured to determine the amountof a targeted molecule, and theprocess continuously repeats untilwe find a variation of the plant that ishigh in the desired molecule, yet ispractical to grow agronomically.
Once an ideal “botanical factory” hasbeen established, it is propagatedinto thousands of identical plantsto be scaled up into production at ourgrowing locations around the world.
Even when an ideal line has beenestablished, Kemin scientistscontinue breeding new lines ofspecialty crops as a process ofcontinuous crop improvement.
This ongoing process ensuresimproved production efficiencies andcontinued discovery.
Growing itAgronomicallyBecause our lines of plants aren’tcommonly grown and harvestedcommercially, our researchagronomists and crop productionspecialists must develop tailoredcropping systems.
It can take years of field testing todevelop machinery, pesticides, andgrowing practices that ensureefficient and sustainable growingsystems.
Our specialists partner with expertgrowers and family farmers aroundthe U.S. and the world to scale upand grow our specialty crops. Theskill and dedication of our growingpartners provides a consistent,reliable supply of our botanicals.
Our Vertically Integrated SupplyChains
Kemin is one of the most verticallyintegrated suppliers of plant-basedingredients. Across the supply chainKemin controls the breeding, plantselection, growing, harvesting andextraction steps for our specialtycrops.
The vertically integrated supply chainallows us to ensure that every batchof product is consistent socustomers can expect the sameefficacy every time they purchaseKemin products.
Rigorous Quality Control Testing
Kemin tests all incoming plantmaterial arriving at its extractionfacilities to ensure it is free fromtoxic compounds such as dioxins andpesticides.
Kemin is a pioneer in harnessingnature, sunlight, soil, carbondioxide and water to manufacturemolecules. The moleculesextracted from our specialtybotanicals displace those madewith synthetic chemical reactions.
Not only do we sustainably sourceour molecules, we also usesustainable growing practices. We’veachieved "Sustainably Grown" statusfrom SCS Global Services, a trustedleader in third-party sustainabilitycertification, auditing and testing, forour rosemary and spearmintproduction.
Across all our specialty crop growingoperations, we are committed tousing good agricultural andsustainable best practices.
RosemaryLeading the world in sustainable production of
scientifically advanced rosemary
ScientificallyAdvancedRosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an
evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean
region that has been used beyond culinary
applications since 500 BC, when Greeks and
Romans used it as a medicinal herb.
Rosemary is a member of theLamiaceae family which includesspearmint, oregano, sage and otherwell-known herbs. Rosemary is anatural producer of carnosic acidwhich is one of the most powerfulantioxidants in planta.
Recognizing the potential benefits ofRosemary for improving food, petfood, personal care and commercialhorticulture, Kemin set out in 1996 to
food, personal care and commercialhorticulture, Kemin set out in 1996 toharness rosemary's natural ability toproduce specific molecules.
Our plant scientists useconventional plant breedingmethods to establish advancedclonal lines of rosemary that are richin these beneficial molecules.
Annually, Kemin establishes >25new, advanced clonal lines as part ofa proprietary crop advancementprogram.
From Field to Kemin Ingredient
One approach to produce rosemaryis to harvest it from the wild inMediterranean countries.
However, this method is notsustainable, dramatically alters thenatural ecosystem and can produce awidely variable and inconsistentproduct.
Kemin has taken a different path. Wehave invested in years of researchand millions of dollars into developinga sustainable, agronomic approachto growing rosemary.
Kemin contracts with family farmersin Texas and New Mexico to growmore than 1,100 acres of geneticallyidentical rosemary plants.
It takes two years to establish eachrosemary crop in a field to the pointwhere it can begin to beharvested. Each crop has a lifespanof about ten years with two annualcuttings in June and August.
Kemin uses innovative, proprietarymethods to extract the beneficialmolecules.
Kemin Leads the World inRosemary Production
• “Sustainably Grown” certified bySCS Global Services
• Largest rosemary germplasmcollection in the world
• One of the largest commercialproductions in the world
• Most significant investment andscale-up in the world
Investing two decades of science,expertise, innovation andpartnership with family farmershas made Kemin one of the mostvertically integrated producers ofnatural rosemary extract-basedingredients in the world.
SpearmintLeading the world in sustainable
production of scientifically advanced
spearmint
ScientificallyAdvancedSpearmint
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is an herbaceous
plant native to Europe that has been used for
hundreds of years for flavor and fragrance, as
well as ancient medicinal purposes.
Spearmint is a polyphenolic memberof the Lamiaceae family whichincludes rosemary, oregano, sageand other well-known herbs.
Spearmint naturally producesrosmarinic acid and other phenolicmolecules with antioxidant andantimicrobial benefits.
Understanding the value of thesephenolic molecules for food, pet foodand human health applications,
phenolic molecules for food, pet foodand human health applications,Kemin set out in 2008 to harnessspearmint's ability to naturallyproduce these molecules.
Our plant scientists usedconventional breeding methods todevelop two clonal lines ofspearmint, each fully sequenced atthe DNA level and patented toprotect their uniqueness.
Our scientists continually breed newlines of spearmint as a process ofcontinuous crop improvement.
From Field to Kemin Ingredient
Kemin works in partnership withfamily farmers in Indiana who havegrown spearmint for decades,producing and harvesting more than400 acres of the proprietary plants.
The spearmint is grown using goodagronomic and sustainable bestpractices.
A field of our spearmint takes twoyears to come to full production andcontinues to produce for another twoor three years. The fields areharvested three or four times perseason with about four or five weeksbetween cuttings.
Kemin scientists developed apatented drying process thatinstantly retains the unique bioactivemolecules.
This technology allows the harvestedbiomass to be stored and remainvery stable until it is needed forextraction.
Leader in Scientifically AdvancedSpearmint Production
• “Sustainably Grown” certified bySCS Global Services
• Collaboration with some of themost knowledgeable mintfarmers in the U.S.
• A 7,000-square footmanufacturing facility that housesour patented drying technology
Investing in nearly two decades ofscience, expertise, innovation andpartnership with family farmers inthe U.S. has made Kemin one ofthe most vertically integratedproducers of natural spearmintextract-based ingredients in theworld.
ScientificallyAdvancedOregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an
herbaceous plant native to the
Mediterranean that has been used for
hundreds of years for food flavoring and for
its many medicinal properties.
Oregano is a member of theLamiaceae family which includesrosemary, spearmint, sage and otherwell-known herbs. Oregano naturallyproduces the molecules carvacroland thymol, which haveantimicrobial, anti-inflammatory andantioxidant benefits.
When grown in the wild, wild-typeoregano accumulates carvacrol andthymol together in the same leaf, but
oregano accumulates carvacrol andthymol together in the same leaf, butseasonal variation, growingconditions and harvest timing cancause fluctuation in the amounts ofthese two molecules.
Recognizing the potential benefits ofcarvacrol and thymol on improvingfeed, food and health-relatedproducts, Kemin set out to harnessoregano’s ability to produce thesebioactive molecules in 2009.
Kemin plant scientists usedconventional breeding methods todevelop two patented clonal lines oforegano that are fully sequenced atthe DNA level.
One line of oregano is rich incarvacrol, and the other in thymol.This allows Kemin to extract the oilsseparately and combine in specificratios to ensure consistent andefficacious oregano-basedingredients.
Kemin scientist continually breednew lines of oregano as a process ofcontinuous crop improvement.
From Field to Kemin Ingredient
Kemin owns and operates one of theworld’s most advanced oreganobreeding, cultivation and processingoperations.
By controlling plant breeding, cropproduction, extraction andformulation, Kemin can ensuretraceability and quality for customersworldwide.
Located in the heart of Texas, Keminhas more than 1,600 acres offarmland dedicated to growing high-quality oregano plants—makingKemin the world’s largest oreganogrower of purpose-bred oreganoclonal lines.
On the oregano operation, the twoclonal lines are continually grown in a
On the oregano operation, the twoclonal lines are continually grown in aperennial format to ensureconsistency and quality. Seedlingsthat began in a greenhouse aretransplanted to the field, planted byhand and grown until maturity.
Once plants are mature, oreganobiomass is harvested three times ayear. The extracted oregano oils aredistributed to Kemin manufacturingsites around the world for specificproduct formulation.
Responsible Growing Practices
Kemin combines company-managedgrowing operations with localgrowers to follow good agriculturalpractices and socially responsiblecrop production methods.
The vertically integrated supply chainallows Kemin to ensure that everybatch of product is consistent so thatcustomers can expect the sameefficacy every time they purchaseKemin products.
MarigoldLeading the world in development and production of
scientifically advanced marigolds
ScientificallyAdvancedMarigolds
Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an herbaceous
plant native to North and South America
that has been used for hundreds of years for
medicinal, ceremonial and decorative
purposes.
Marigold is a member of theAsteraceae or Compositae familywhich includes more than 30,000different species.
Marigold flowers naturally producecarotenoids, specifically lutein andzeaxanthin, which have pigmentationand antioxidant benefits.
Understanding the value of thesemolecules for egg yolk and broilerpigmentation, human vision and skinhealth, Kemin set out in 1995 toharness the flower's ability toproduce these molecules.
Today, we are pioneering theadvancement of elite marigoldhybrids.
Our plant scientists use conventionalbreeding methods to develop inbredparent lines, crossed in hybridcombination for total uniformity. Theresulting seed produces identicalhybrid marigold plants that areuniform, consistent and highproducer of either lutein orzeaxanthin.
Our scientist continually breed newlines of marigolds as a process ofcontinuous crop improvement.
From Seed to Kemin Ingredient
Kemin partners with farmers in Indiato grow and harvest more than15,000 acres of hybrid marigoldseach year. Marigolds are handplanted, weeded and harvested six orseven times per season.
planted, weeded and harvested six orseven times per season.
Once harvested, flowers undergo anextraction process to produce luteinor zeaxanthin-rich oleoresin extract,depending on the hybrid grown.Kemin uses a proprietary oleoresincrystallization process to produce
Kemin uses a proprietary oleoresincrystallization process to producelutein or zeaxanthin at our worldwideheadquarters in Des Moines, Iowa,U.S.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are thenformulated into specific ingredientsto be sold into the animal feed,dietary supplement, functional food,and functional beverage marketsworldwide.
Responsible Growing andProduction Practices
Through strategic partnership withgrowing partners, Kemin ensuresgood agricultural practices andsocially responsible crop productionmethods.
Kemin uses rigorous safety andquality testing to ensure consistencyand provide customers the sameefficacy every time they purchaseKemin products.
PotatoLeading the world in development
and production of scientifically
advanced potatoes
ScientificallyAdvancedPotatoes
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a starchy,
tuberous crop native to the Andes region of
South America that has been a staple food for
centuries and is an integral part of the world’s
food supply.
In the late 1990s, Kemin scientistsdiscovered that specific potatotubers naturally produce higher levelsof Proteinase Inhibitor II (PI2), abioactive protein that can triggersatiety-signaling and promoteappetite control in humans.
To ensure a consistent andefficacious supply of PI2, Kemin plantscientists set out in 2008 to breedpotato clonal lines of potatoes that
scientists set out in 2008 to breedpotato clonal lines of potatoes thatnaturally accumulate even higherlevels of this key bioactive molecule.
Through a painstaking process ofbiochemical screening, identifying Hi-PI2 gene donors and crossingspecific individual potato selectionsfrom the breeding program, Kemininitially developed two proprietarypatent-pending lines of Hi-PI2 potato.
Each clonal line has been scaledup from propagation lab togreenhouse to field to consistentlyproduce twice as much PI2compared to traditionalcommercially-available potatoes.
Kemin scientists continually breednew lines of Hi-PI2 potatoes as aprocess of continuous cropimprovement and productionefficiencies.
From Field to Kemin Ingredient
Through partnerships with expertpotato growers in Colorado andWisconsin, Kemin grows more than500 acres of the two patent pendinglines of potato annually. Potatoes aregrown using good agronomic andsustainable best practices and areharvested every September.
After harvest, potatoes are storedand sent to Kemin manufacturingfacilities in Des Moines forprocessing. Using a proprietaryextraction process, Kemin gentlyretrieves PI2 molecules from eachpotato.
The extract is then formulated into asatiety ingredient for dietarysupplement and functional food andbeverage producers worldwide.
Responsible Growing andProduction Practices
Through strategic partnership withcontract growers, Kemin ensuresgood agricultural practices andsocially responsible crop production
good agricultural practices andsocially responsible crop productionmethods. Kemin uses rigorous safetyand quality testing to ensureconsistency and provide customersthe same efficacy every time theypurchase Kemin products.
Kemin Plant ScienceEvery day, 360,000 people join the human family. In less than 35years, there will be more than 9 billion of us sharing the planet and ourplanet’s resources. At Kemin, we are finding scientific solutions thatcan maintain and improve the quality of life for our growing population.Through this commitment, Kemin touches more than 3.8 billion livesevery day with our products and services.
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