A team of Australian sugarcane scientists funded by the Brisbane-based *Cooperative Research Centre for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) have identified natural glycaemic index (GI) modifiers that have the potential to dramatically lower blood sugar levels and help manage type 2 diabetes.
The discovery: 'a family of compounds which occur naturally in sugarcane plants and act to moderate carbohydrate absorption in the blood stream', can be found in abundance in sugarcane leaves and plant matter. In laboratory trials the compounds have been up to 125 times more effective than the major pharmaceutical equivalent.
Discovered by scientists based at the Southern Cross University, Lismore, the compounds have been broadly tested in the laboratory and recently developed as a substance named GI-Wise™.
According to the CRC's Commercialisation Manager, Dr Deon Goosen, GI-Wise™ could be used in the development of complementary medicines, as a functional food additive or nutraceutical, or as the basis of a new pharmaceutical drug.
"What’s more, the compounds needed to make GI-Wise™ are easy to extract from sugarcane plant material following the milling process, and are readily available in Australia," Dr Goosen said.
"Additionally, the sugarcane waste stream material remains intact in this process and available for further use as a source of power generation.
"The potential to add value to the Australian sugarcane industry is significant, as are business opportunities in downstream manufacturing," he said.
This finding is also potentially a big advance in helping to curb what is becoming a major health concern.
In recent years, the World Health Organisation has highlighted the alarming increase in type 2 diabetes and its impact on human health.
"At least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes. This figure is likely to more than double by 2030." (www.who.int) Diabetes is a problem that WHO says is 'rapidly growing worse' and in the case of Type 2 diabetes, can largely be attributed to lifestyle factors.
GI-Wise™ is attracting a great deal of commercial interest; and a number of companies are engaged in discussions with the CRC SIIB regarding different product opportunities.
CRC SIIB laboratory research into the various applications and effectiveness of GI-Wise™ continue to help identify the most promising production applications. Dr Deon Goosen is available for further discussion on GI-Wise™.
ENDS
*The Cooperative Research Centre for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) was established to add new value to Australian sugarcane.
It is a unique alliance of Australia's top sugarcane biotechnology research organisations including four Universities, sugar industry research organisations, Federal and Queensland State Governments, and commercial expertise.
Established on 1 July 2003 under a seven-year joint research agreement, its Head Office is at The University of Queensland in Brisbane. The CRC’s scientists and research scholars are based in Brisbane and in sugarcane towns throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. The CRC SIIB entered the commercialisation phase of its research in July 2006. www.crcsugar.com
For further information or a photograph contact:
Julie Lloyd, Communication Manager (CRC SIIB)
M: 0415 799 890