BioTurm, a curcumin ingredient by NuAxon Bioscience, was found to offer greater bioavailability over a standard curcumin extract with no need for piperine, according to a comparison study published in Cureus Journal of Medical Science.

The extract is standardized to 45% curcuminoids and 4.5% ar-turmerone, offering enhanced bioavailability without the need for piperine, a common natural addition to enhance curcumin absorption. This results in an average cost saving of 25% or more for supplement manufacturers, and more effective products for consumers, the company said.

The ingredient was tested in a three-arm human bioavailability study in healthy adults. The study compared BioTurm to a 95% standard curcumin with 1% piperine, and a 95% standard curcumin plus 10% piperine. Blood samples were measured over eight hours to track curcuminoid absorption and ar-turmerone bioavailability.

Compared to the standard extract with 1% piperine content, BioTurm had 60-times greater bioavailability. The pharmalogical curcumin extract with a 10% piperine content matched BioTurm’s availability.

Ar-turmerone is a turmeric oil compound that enhances the cellular uptake of curcumin, increasing intestinal absorption, and providing inflammatory-modulating, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits, without synthetic enhancers, altering drug-metabolizing enzymes, or causing GI discomfort.

“The botanicals industry at large lacks sufficient scientific backing from some claims, impacting credibility broadly,” said Devandra Soman, marketing director. “At NuAxon, we only make claims supported by strong scientific evidence, and the publication of our recent clinical study is one way we’re showing our commitment to transparency and authenticity, two values that are core to the company.”