The Sabinsa Corporation was assigned yet another U.S. patent (# 5,861,415, January, 19, 1999), titled "Bioprotectant composition , method of use and extraction process of Curcuminoids" Curcuminoids have been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal,antiparasitic, anti-mutagen, anticancer and detoxifying properties. The present invention is directed to compositions containing specific ranges of three curcuminoids, i.e. curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, extracted from roots of tumeric (Curcuma longa). This composition has been found to have dual-pronged antioxidant action, viz., preventing the formation of free radicals as well as intervening in their propagation. As most degenerative disease conditions are attributed to free radical chain reactions, the role of curcuminoids in health maintenance is becoming increasingly relevant.

Curcuminoids are recognized for their broad biological activity and safety of use. The biological activity of curcuminoids can best be described by the word "protective". Many of the anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties of curcumin may be related to the unique antioxidant properties of curcuminoids. It should be noted that some other natural antioxidants, which have been screened together with curcuminoids for biological activity, do not offer combined prevention and intervention action, with reference to free radical mediated reactions.

Prevention and intervention result in the totality of protective qualities. Since curcuminoids may protect the integrity of biological systems by preventing the free-radical assault and by intervening to stop the assault, it is proposed that curcuminoids and any similarly acting compounds be classed as a "bioprotectant".