June 22, 2021
Persea Naturals announces membership into the Upcycled Food Association
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Persea Naturals is delighted to announce membership into the Upcycled Food Association. Founded in 2019, the Upcycled Food Association is a nonprofit trade association focused on reducing food waste by growing the upcycled food economy. As food waste has increased over time, the association was formed to attract attention to the upcycle industry by gathering a network of like-minded businesses and investors. “Sustainability and upcycling waste is at the heart of Persea Naturals mission. In fact, we use the ‘heart’ of the avocado, the seed in what we call our sustainable seed solution. Persea is excited to join the Upcycled Food Association, an incredible community of companies who share our goal – reduce food waste & bring awareness to the upcycle community,” says President, Steve Parkhill. Persea Naturals LLC was formed in 2016 to develop commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow, orange & red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Persea Naturals is currently working towards FDA approval of this novel natural food color additive. #upcycledfood #sustainability #foodwaste #food
JANUARY 22, 2021
Persea Naturals Pursues FDA Petition
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Since the founding of Persea Naturals LLC, tremendous discoveries have been made to create AvoColor®, a safe natural food colorant derived from the heart of the avocado – the seed. Today, Persea Naturals is thrilled to announce that with the help of industry regulatory experts, Verto Solutions, they will be filing a color additive petition with the FDA in the beginning of 2021. After a 10-year scientific journey with assistance from the Pennsylvania State University, and a highly successful product toxicology study (assuring product safety), the company’s experts are confident that they have a strong case to approach the FDA and the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). “Persea Naturals is thrilled to begin the FDA and EFSA petition process, and we are very thankful for Verto’s guidance – they continue to be a wealth of knowledge and resources. AvoColor’s momentum is growing and we look forward to this next stage,” says Bob Hicks, CEO of Persea Naturals. Persea Naturals aims to be FDA and EFSA approved in early 2022 or sooner and will then begin production later that same year.
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compared to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover more than 50 percent of the color spectrum. Based in Washington, DC, Verto Solutions, LLC provides thoughtful and effective scientific consulting for clients in food, agriculture, and science-focused industries.
NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Persea Naturals LLC Announces New Executive Assistant
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that Ms. Juliet Harshbarger (née Long) has joined the company as Executive Assistant, reporting to Bob Hicks, CEO. At Persea Naturals, Julie will manage or assist in many aspects of the business, including administration, finance, compliance and social media.
Julie recently served as Staff Assistant to U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16). In this former role, she was responsible for improving office administration effectiveness, as well as leading special projects and complex situations.
CEO Bob Hicks said, “As Persea Naturals moves from the efficacy and safety phases of our product development and into the regulatory approval phase, we are very excited to have Julie join us and assist in the coordination of the many tasks required to obtain FDA approval.”
JUNe 30, 2020
Persea Naturals LLC Announces Successful Sub-Chronic Toxicology Study
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Persea Naturals LLC, a developer of food additives of natural origin, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a 90 sub-chronic toxicology study of its initial product, AvoColor®, a yellow-orange food color additive derived from avocado seeds. No negative effects were observed during this 90-day feeding study, paving the way to petition the FDA for approval of Avocolor® as a natural food color additive.
The sub-chronic toxicology study analyzes the effect of various concentrations of Avocolor® in rat diets over a 90-day period to evaluate its safety as a potential food and beverage additive for human consumption. The toxicology study was conducted under contract by Integrated Laboratory Systems (Morrisville, NC), was supported by funds awarded to Persea Naturals LLC by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Kansas City, MO) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners (University Park, PA). The safety seen in the rats is consistent with the results of a previous 15-day study conducted by Persea Naturals in mice.
Dr. Joshua Lambert, a partner and toxicologist in the company commented, “I’m very pleased with the outcome of this sub-chronic toxicology study. Combined with the results of our previous study in mice, it makes a strong case for the safety of AvoColor® even at high doses. I am confident that these data will help us successfully petition the FDA to use of AvoColor® as a color additive in foods and beverages.”
While Persea Naturals is engaged in the FDA approval process for Avocolor®, the company continues its efforts to identify additional commercially viable compounds in the seeds of Avocados as it seeks a “total seed solution” for the millions of pounds of avocado seeds currently going into U.S. landfills Persea Naturals aspires to diverting all avocado seeds from U.S. landfills by 2030.
About Persea Naturals, LLC
Persea Naturals LLC was formed in 2016 to develop commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compared to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover over 50 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals is currently working towards FDA approval of this novel natural food color additive.
For more information, please visit www.avocolor.com .
June 1, 2020
Food scientists receive College of Ag Sciences award for research innovation
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — READ ARTICLE HERE
May 9, 2020
Persea Naturals LLC gains funding from Penn State Smeal Garber Fund
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that it has entered into a $100,000 financing agreement with the Penn State Smeal College of Business Garber Venture Capital Fund, as part of a funding selection process by MBA students in the Smeal College of Business.
“We are very excited to finalize this agreement with the Garber Fund,” said Persea Naturals LLC Chief Executive Officer Robert Hicks. “The roots of Persea Naturals lie at Penn State, and we are very grateful for the many resources within the university that continually contribute to our company’s progress.”
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compared to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover more than 50 percent of the color spectrum.
While the team at Persea Naturals works towards FDA approval of this novel natural food color additive, they continue to search for additional commercially viable compounds in avocados, with the goal of diverting all avocado seeds from U.S. landfills by 2030.
The Garber Venture Capital Fund is one of the nation’s largest and most active student-centric venture funds. Established in 1999 with a generous endowment from Dr. John Garber and his wife Bette, this venture fund brings to reality the process of venture capital investing in start-up companies.
Second-year MBA students have the opportunity to engage in the venture capital process by enrolling in the entrepreneurial finance course Entrepreneurship 597. Entrepreneurs from several prospective companies pitch their business ideas to the class. From these prospects, students select the companies that are of greatest interest for investment consideration, and form teams to conduct due diligence of those companies during the seven-week course.
At the end of the course, the student teams present their findings and investment recommendations to their peers and vote on which of the companies, if any, warrant an investment of up to $100,000. The Garber Fund is administered by the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship as part of Smeal’s highly acclaimed entrepreneurship program in which students are immersed in real-life situations throughout their studies.
APRIL 18, 2020
Stephen Parkhill – Chief Operating Officer Joins Team at Persea Naturals LLC
Persea Naturals LLC, the developer of commercial products from the avocado seed, today announced that veteran food production executive Stephen Parkhill, has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer.
At Persea Naturals, Mr. Parkhill will direct all operational aspects of the business, including the manufacture and production of the various food and color products, strategic and joint venture development, and sales.
Mr. Parkhill brings a career of experience in the food production industry and has also provided extensive research into are of business startup and entrepreneurship.
“What we found most intriguing about Steve was his unique combination of experience and knowledge in the dual areas of food manufacturing and new company development”, states CEO Robert Hicks. “While Persea Naturals has successfully navigated through the early stages of scientific research, product development and capital formation, the addition of Steve equips us to advance into market entry and production. His knowledge of startup development will help to guide as through the myriad of crucial decisions that we will face over the coming years as we prepare our products for market introduction.”
Mr. Parkhill has led operations and manufacturing at various companies in the food industry, including Sofina Foods Inc., Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Schneider Foods, and Rogers Chocolates.
APRIL 13, 2020
Persea Naturals advances to 3rd round of IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ competition
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that its natural food colorant, AvoColor®, has been selected to advance to the third phase of the IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ competition.
“I am thrilled to learn that the IFT recognizes the innovation of AvoColor®”, said Emmanuel Hatzakis, one of the company founders and owners. “This novel product meets the increasing demand of consumers for cleaner food ingredients while providing an alternative to landfilling of seeds for avocado processors.”
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compared to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover over 50 percent of the color spectrum.
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has designed the IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ to help emerging and investment-ready companies gain visibility and make strategic connections to help advance the science of food and its positive impact on the sustainability of our global food supply.
DECEMBER 7, 2019
What can you do with avocado seeds? Penn State researchers develop a colorful solution.
Occasionally, when you’re looking for a solution to one problem, you get lucky enough to stumble upon a solution for an even bigger and more pressing issue. For Penn State professor Greg Ziegler, this was what happened with AvoColor, a product he developed after inadvertently discovering some previously unknown avocado seed properties.
Read the entire article at the Centre Daily Times.
November 17, 2019
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that it will be presenting at the 3rd Annual Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (DESCA) Investor Forum on November 15, 2019 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial applications that are derived from the seed of the avocado. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compare to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover over 50 percent of the color spectrum.
Since 2010, DESCA has played a lead role in enabling sustainable innovation among key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Working with leaders in industry, government, and academia, DESCA helps link resources in ways that can both optimize the funding essential for R&D and translate the benefits of new and sustainable discoveries into commercial opportunities.
November 11, 2019
Persea Naturals Welcomes Shravya Mukka to Lead Product Development
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that Shravya Mukka has joined the company as Product Developer. In her role, Ms. Mukka will be responsible for the continued research and development of products that can be derived from the seed of the avocado in addition to AvoColor. AvoColor is a red-orange-yellow food colorant developed by Persea Naturals LLC.
Ms. Mukka has completed degrees in Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering (Anna University in Chennai, India) and a Master of Chemical Engineering (Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa.) She has also served in various roles in industry, including Quality Engineer and Project Manager.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
Persea Naturals Awarded SBIR Phase II Grant for AvoColor
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The purpose of the grant is to support the commercialization of AvoColor®, a natural food colorant developed by the company.
“I am thrilled to learn that the USDA and NIFA are continuing to view AvoColor as an attractive potential natural food colorant”, said CEO Bob Hicks. “This innovative product meets the increasing demand of consumers to have cleaner ingredients in their diet.”
Chief Science Officer Dr. Greg Ziegler said “our initial research and development in Phase I of the SBIR program confirmed the viability of the product to the USDA. In addition, we have tested the product with numerous color and food companies, with very encouraging results.”
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is more stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 50 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
March 19, 2019
Avocado seed extract shows promise as anti-inflammatory compound
The discovery could be important because cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, colitis and many more serious conditions are associated with chronic inflammation, and it represents a potential source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds that could be developed as a functional food ingredient or pharmaceuticals.
March 4, 2019
Persea Naturals: Natural Color
The versatile avocado is getting another accolade added to its long list of health benefits, which, to date, has included improved digestion, decreased risk of depression and protection against cancer. But its latest benefit? Research shows that it also serves as a vibrant, all-natural food coloring.
READ MORE: www.preparedfoods.com/articles/122079-persea-naturals-natural-colord
February 25, 2019
Persea Naturals LLC invited to present AvoColor® at IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that it has been invited to present its natural food colorant, AvoColor®, in the second round of the IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge.
“We are very excited to present AvoColor® at the IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge. We look forward to demonstrating the wide range of colors and the excellent stability provided by AvoColor®” says Emmanuel Hatzakis, one of the founders of Persea Naturals, LLC. “The consumers are seeking new “clean-label” food colors, and AvoColor® meets the needs of the color manufacturers as well as the consumers. The ability to utilize a food by-product, the avocado seed, also eliminates potential waste in the avocado processing industry.”
The IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge competition is designed to help emerging and investment-ready science of food and technology related companies gain visibility and make strategic connections to help advance the science of food and its positive impact on the sustainability of our global food supply.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 50 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
December 11, 2018
Dr. Gregory R. Ziegler presented at the 2018 Food Innovation and Engineering Conference
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that Dr. Gregory R. Ziegler presented at the 2018 Food Innovation and Engineering Conference at the Marriott Hotel & Spa, Napa on 02nd December.
Dr. Ziegler presented on the capabilities of AvoColor®, a natural food colorant produced from the seed of the avocado. Dr. Ziegler was the primary discoverer of the compound basis of AvoColor®, and is the company’s chief scientist and a partner of the company. AvoColor® is currently being produced by Persea Naturals LLC for sale to natural food colorant manufacturers.
July 31, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC Completes 15-day Toxicology Study
Persea Naturals LLC, a developer of food additives of natural origin, has completed a 15-day preclinical toxicology study of its initial product, AvoColor®. Dr. Joshua Lambert, a partner of the company and lead toxicologist of the study commented “We are very pleased with the results of this recent study, which indicate that AvoColor® in the diet is safe even at high doses. We are preparing for a follow-up 90-day preclinical toxicology study in advance of our FDA petition. We think that AvoColor® will continue to demonstrate a favorable safety profile and be approved for human consumption.”.
AvoColor® is a natural food colorant made from the heart of the avocado – the seed – and addresses the red-orange-yellow color range.
July 30, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC Awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant by the USDA
Persea Naturals LLC, a developer of food additives of natural origin, has been awarded a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to further advance the development of its initial product, AvoColor®. AvoColor® is a natural food colorant made from the heart of the avocado – the seed – and addresses the red-orange-yellow color range. The company is continuing toxicology testing in advance of a petition to the FDA for human consumption of the product.
February 6, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to welcome Dr. Tanedjeu Kemgang
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to welcome Dr. Tanedjeu Kemgang as Scientist. Tanedjeu will be responsible for leading the Company in the transition from lab-scale to industrial-scale production, as well as the development and commercialization of new products.
Tanedjeu obtained his PhD in Animal Biochemistry at the National Dairy Research Institute, and has competence in the area of Immunology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, and Food science and nutrition.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 40 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
February 1, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC announces membership in the IACM
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce its membership in the International Association of Color Manufacturers (“IACM”). Its membership in IACM will be beneficial to the continued development of Persea Natural’s initial product offering, AvoColor®.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 40 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
IACM is the trade association that represents the manufacturers and end-users of coloring substances that are used in foods, including natural and artificial colors on thestate, national, and international levels. IACM is respected by regulatory bodies around the world for its unparalleled knowledge and access to leading scientific researchers and color industry experts.
For additional information regarding Persea Naturals LLC, please visit www.AvoColor.com. For additional information of the IACM, please visit www.iacmcolor.org.
Archived Press
Emmanuel Hatzakis of Persea Naturals awarded Samuel Cate Prescott Award for Research
Avocados: A Source for Natural Food Coloring
Colors play a role in push for all-natural confections
NewsWise – Penn State Food Scientist Turns Avocado Pits Into Natural Food Coloring
Persea Naturals Approved for funding by Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Natural Orange Coloring From Avocado Seeds
A Colored Avocado Seed Extract as a Potential Natural Colorant
Holy guacamole: Food-coloring startup gives avocado pits new life | PDF Download
Penn State academics seek to commercialize ‘bulletproof’ natural colors from avocado pits
Orange surprise in avocados may be future product
Avocado seeds offer natural colour promise: Study
Food Coloring From Avocado Pits? One Startup Says It Can Be Done
The BF TechCelerator@State College Announces Latest Winner – Virolock Technologies Inc! – PDF Download
EVENTS/AWARDS – 2016
Penn State Research Foundation Grant – $12,000 – April 20, 2016
Penn State Fund for Innovation, Jump Start Program Grant – $75,000 – September 22, 2016
2nd Place – 2016 Invent Penn State University Technology Tournament – $50,000 – October 7, 2016
Presentor at FirstEnergy Economic Development Forum – November 21, 2016
Nominated for CBICC Excellence in Business Award – Entrepreneur of the Year – December 15, 2016
Bob accepting second place ($50,000) at the V&IP Conference.
APRIL 19, 2020
Persea Naturals announces veteran food production executive Stephen Parkhill has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer
Persea Naturals LLC, the developer of commercial products from the avocado seed, today announced that veteran food production executive Stephen Parkhill, has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer.
At Persea Naturals, Mr. Parkhill will direct all operational aspects of the business, including the manufacture and production of the various food and color products, strategic and joint venture development, and sales.
Mr. Parkhill brings a career of experience in the food production industry and has also provided extensive research into are of business startup and entrepreneurship.
“What we found most intriguing about Steve was his unique combination of experience and knowledge in the dual areas of food manufacturing and new company development”, states CEO Robert Hicks. “While Persea Naturals has successfully navigated through the early stages of scientific research, product development and capital formation, the addition of Steve equips us to advance into market entry and production. His knowledge of startup development will help to guide as through the myriad of crucial decisions that we will face over the coming years as we prepare our products for market introduction.”
Mr. Parkhill has led operations and manufacturing at various companies in the food industry, including Sofina Foods Inc., Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Schneider Foods, and Rogers Chocolates.
APRIL 13, 2020
Persea Naturals advances to 3rd round of IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ competition
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that its natural food colorant, AvoColor®, has been selected to advance to the third phase of the IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ competition.
“I am thrilled to learn that the IFT recognizes the innovation of AvoColor®”, said Emmanuel Hatzakis, one of the company founders and owners. “This novel product meets the increasing demand of consumers for cleaner food ingredients while providing an alternative to landfilling of seeds for avocado processors.”
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial products derived from avocado seeds. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compared to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover over 50 percent of the color spectrum.
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has designed the IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge™ to help emerging and investment-ready companies gain visibility and make strategic connections to help advance the science of food and its positive impact on the sustainability of our global food supply.
DECEMBER 7, 2019
What can you do with avocado seeds? Penn State researchers develop a colorful solution.
Occasionally, when you’re looking for a solution to one problem, you get lucky enough to stumble upon a solution for an even bigger and more pressing issue. For Penn State professor Greg Ziegler, this was what happened with AvoColor, a product he developed after inadvertently discovering some previously unknown avocado seed properties.
Read the entire article at the Centre Daily Times.
November 17, 2019
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that it will be presenting at the 3rd Annual Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (DESCA) Investor Forum on November 15, 2019 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Persea Naturals LLC is developing commercial applications that are derived from the seed of the avocado. The company’s initial product, AvoColor®, is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. Compare to other natural color additives on the market, AvoColor® has demonstrated greater stability and has the potential to cover over 50 percent of the color spectrum.
Since 2010, DESCA has played a lead role in enabling sustainable innovation among key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Working with leaders in industry, government, and academia, DESCA helps link resources in ways that can both optimize the funding essential for R&D and translate the benefits of new and sustainable discoveries into commercial opportunities.
November 11, 2019
Persea Naturals Welcomes Shravya Mukka to Lead Product Development
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that Shravya Mukka has joined the company as Product Developer. In her role, Ms. Mukka will be responsible for the continued research and development of products that can be derived from the seed of the avocado in addition to AvoColor. AvoColor is a red-orange-yellow food colorant developed by Persea Naturals LLC.
Ms. Mukka has completed degrees in Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering (Anna University in Chennai, India) and a Master of Chemical Engineering (Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa.) She has also served in various roles in industry, including Quality Engineer and Project Manager.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
Persea Naturals Awarded SBIR Phase II Grant for AvoColor
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The purpose of the grant is to support the commercialization of AvoColor®, a natural food colorant developed by the company.
“I am thrilled to learn that the USDA and NIFA are continuing to view AvoColor as an attractive potential natural food colorant”, said CEO Bob Hicks. “This innovative product meets the increasing demand of consumers to have cleaner ingredients in their diet.”
Chief Science Officer Dr. Greg Ziegler said “our initial research and development in Phase I of the SBIR program confirmed the viability of the product to the USDA. In addition, we have tested the product with numerous color and food companies, with very encouraging results.”
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is more stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 50 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
March 19, 2019
Avocado seed extract shows promise as anti-inflammatory compound
The discovery could be important because cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, colitis and many more serious conditions are associated with chronic inflammation, and it represents a potential source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds that could be developed as a functional food ingredient or pharmaceuticals.
March 4, 2019
Persea Naturals: Natural Color
The versatile avocado is getting another accolade added to its long list of health benefits, which, to date, has included improved digestion, decreased risk of depression and protection against cancer. But its latest benefit? Research shows that it also serves as a vibrant, all-natural food coloring.
READ MORE: www.preparedfoods.com/articles/122079-persea-naturals-natural-colord
February 25, 2019
Persea Naturals LLC invited to present AvoColor® at IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that it has been invited to present its natural food colorant, AvoColor®, in the second round of the IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge.
“We are very excited to present AvoColor® at the IFT/NEXT Food Disruption Challenge. We look forward to demonstrating the wide range of colors and the excellent stability provided by AvoColor®” says Emmanuel Hatzakis, one of the founders of Persea Naturals, LLC. “The consumers are seeking new “clean-label” food colors, and AvoColor® meets the needs of the color manufacturers as well as the consumers. The ability to utilize a food by-product, the avocado seed, also eliminates potential waste in the avocado processing industry.”
The IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge competition is designed to help emerging and investment-ready science of food and technology related companies gain visibility and make strategic connections to help advance the science of food and its positive impact on the sustainability of our global food supply.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 50 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
December 11, 2018
Dr. Gregory R. Ziegler presented at the 2018 Food Innovation and Engineering Conference
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce that Dr. Gregory R. Ziegler presented at the 2018 Food Innovation and Engineering Conference at the Marriott Hotel & Spa, Napa on 02nd December.
Dr. Ziegler presented on the capabilities of AvoColor®, a natural food colorant produced from the seed of the avocado. Dr. Ziegler was the primary discoverer of the compound basis of AvoColor®, and is the company’s chief scientist and a partner of the company. AvoColor® is currently being produced by Persea Naturals LLC for sale to natural food colorant manufacturers.
July 31, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC Completes 15-day Toxicology Study
Persea Naturals LLC, a developer of food additives of natural origin, has completed a 15-day preclinical toxicology study of its initial product, AvoColor®. Dr. Joshua Lambert, a partner of the company and lead toxicologist of the study commented “We are very pleased with the results of this recent study, which indicate that AvoColor® in the diet is safe even at high doses. We are preparing for a follow-up 90-day preclinical toxicology study in advance of our FDA petition. We think that AvoColor® will continue to demonstrate a favorable safety profile and be approved for human consumption.”.
AvoColor® is a natural food colorant made from the heart of the avocado – the seed – and addresses the red-orange-yellow color range.
July 30, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC Awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant by the USDA
Persea Naturals LLC, a developer of food additives of natural origin, has been awarded a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to further advance the development of its initial product, AvoColor®. AvoColor® is a natural food colorant made from the heart of the avocado – the seed – and addresses the red-orange-yellow color range. The company is continuing toxicology testing in advance of a petition to the FDA for human consumption of the product.
February 6, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to welcome Dr. Tanedjeu Kemgang
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to welcome Dr. Tanedjeu Kemgang as Scientist. Tanedjeu will be responsible for leading the Company in the transition from lab-scale to industrial-scale production, as well as the development and commercialization of new products.
Tanedjeu obtained his PhD in Animal Biochemistry at the National Dairy Research Institute, and has competence in the area of Immunology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, and Food science and nutrition.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 40 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
February 1, 2018
Persea Naturals LLC announces membership in the IACM
Persea Naturals LLC is pleased to announce its membership in the International Association of Color Manufacturers (“IACM”). Its membership in IACM will be beneficial to the continued development of Persea Natural’s initial product offering, AvoColor®.
Produced from the seed of the avocado, AvoColor® is a yellow-red food color additive that meets the needs of a rapidly changing color additive market by addressing demand for natural food colors. AvoColor® is relatively stable compared to other natural color additives on the market and has the potential to cover 40 percent of the color spectrum. Persea Naturals doesn’t use marketable fruits and vegetables to manufacture AvoColor®. Persea Naturals is working towards FDA approval for AvoColor® as a food color additive exempt from certification.
IACM is the trade association that represents the manufacturers and end-users of coloring substances that are used in foods, including natural and artificial colors on thestate, national, and international levels. IACM is respected by regulatory bodies around the world for its unparalleled knowledge and access to leading scientific researchers and color industry experts.
For additional information regarding Persea Naturals LLC, please visit www.AvoColor.com. For additional information of the IACM, please visit www.iacmcolor.org.
Archived Press
Emmanuel Hatzakis of Persea Naturals awarded Samuel Cate Prescott Award for Research
Avocados: A Source for Natural Food Coloring
Colors play a role in push for all-natural confections
NewsWise – Penn State Food Scientist Turns Avocado Pits Into Natural Food Coloring
Persea Naturals Approved for funding by Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Natural Orange Coloring From Avocado Seeds
A Colored Avocado Seed Extract as a Potential Natural Colorant
Holy guacamole: Food-coloring startup gives avocado pits new life | PDF Download
Penn State academics seek to commercialize ‘bulletproof’ natural colors from avocado pits
Orange surprise in avocados may be future product
Avocado seeds offer natural colour promise: Study
Food Coloring From Avocado Pits? One Startup Says It Can Be Done
The BF TechCelerator@State College Announces Latest Winner – Virolock Technologies Inc! – PDF Download
EVENTS/AWARDS – 2016
Penn State Research Foundation Grant – $12,000 – April 20, 2016
Penn State Fund for Innovation, Jump Start Program Grant – $75,000 – September 22, 2016
2nd Place – 2016 Invent Penn State University Technology Tournament – $50,000 – October 7, 2016
Presentor at FirstEnergy Economic Development Forum – November 21, 2016
Nominated for CBICC Excellence in Business Award – Entrepreneur of the Year – December 15, 2016
Bob accepting second place ($50,000) at the V&IP Conference.