Nurture receives patents for novel grain-derived oil spill dispersants and fat substitutes.

MISSOULA, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 1995--NURTURE, Inc., a privately held company, today announced that it has received two United States patents for specific compositions and uses of the company's multi-functional, proteinaceous biomaterials derived from grains. Patent number 5,399,350 covers uses of the company's Nurture Bio-Emulsifier(TM) microparticles as a non-toxic oil spill dispersant and clean-up agent for oil-fouled wildlife and beaches. Patent number 5,393,550 covers a novel fat substitute, based on Nurture(R) microparticles, which can be employed in both frozen and hot foods.

"We are very pleased to receive these patents, which further validate two of the many uses we have identified for our novel formulation additives," said Zachary S. Wochok, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of NURTURE, Inc. Using proprietary processing technology, NURTURE has developed a line of biomaterials derived from the seed proteins, fiber, starches and oils of cereal grains, particularly oats. These materials offer a variety of multifunctional properties, including antioxidancy, film formation, novel emulsification, gelation, thickening, fragrance/aroma enhancement, sequestering of toxic materials, controlled release, reduced irritation and enhanced aesthetics. NURTURE's biomaterials have GRAS ("generally recognized as safe") status and provide applications for a variety of industries.

Non-Toxic Oil Spill Dispersant

The first patent relates to the use of Nurture microparticles, termed Nurture Bio-Emulsifier, for dispersing oil spills or spills of other potentially dangerous pollutants. In addition, the issued patent covers the use of Nurture Bio-Emulsifier in cleaning ship bilges, wildfowl, beaches or other properties that become contaminated by oil from an oil spill. Nurture Bio-Emulsifier was recently used to clean a jet fuel spill on the tarmac at Missoula International Airport.

When Nurture Bio-Emulsifier is applied to an oil spill, the grain-derived particulates rapidly adsorb three to five times their weight in oil. This forms an emulsifiable Nurture/oil concentrate that becomes dispersed with high efficiency through the action of waves and tidal currents. Oil-degrading microbial populations that are naturally resident in the environment readily biodegrade the Nurture/oil particles; research suggests that nutrients naturally present in Nurture promote microbial growth, thereby stimulating biodegradation. Because Nurture Bio-Emulsifier is a natural grain-derived material, it is inherently safe and non-toxic. In contrast, currently used chemical oil dispersants are typically up to 100 times more toxic than crude oil itself.

"We believe that Nurture Bio-Emulsifier has the potential to become the first truly safe and effective treatment for the clean-up of oil spills worldwide," commented Dr. Wochok.

Novel Fat Substitute

The second patent relates to novel fat substitutes composed primarily of defatted starch and protein microparticles that are derived from grains, particularly oats. The Nurture fat substitutes can be used in many food preparations to reduce caloric content, as well as to enhance nutritional qualities. In addition, NURTURE's fat substitutes offer a variety of useful properties to food processors including bland taste, high digestibility, creamy texture and other desirable sensory qualities associated with fats. Moreover, food processors may vary the viscosity of the resulting food by changing the ratio of starch to protein in the fat substitute. Foods made using Nurture fat substitute may be cooked or frozen, enabling its use in formulating a wide variety of fat-free frozen desserts, cake icings, salad dressings, butter substitutes, candies, and many other food products.

"Nurture's multifunctional properties make it a highly differentiated fat substitute where gelling, flavor stabilization and binding can be accomplished with one additive," commented Dr. Wochok. "Product benefits include improved texture, mouthfeel, stability, and ease of formulation."

NURTURE, Inc. is a formulation additives company that develops, manufactures and markets a unique family of multifunctional biomaterials derived from proteinaceous seeds. The company sells its products under the registered trademarks Nurture(R) to the nutritional and health food market and Microat(R) to the personal care industry.

CONTACT: NURTURE, Inc.

Zachary S. Wochok, Ph.D., 406/728-0260

or

J. Kureczka Associates

Joan Kureczka, 415/821-2413