VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology will publish a toxicology study on the safety of Puratein canola protein isolate, according to Burcon NutraScience Corp. The publication is an important step as Vancouver-based Burcon NutraScience and Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, Ill., prepare to submit a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Puratein already has self-affirmed GRAS status for use in foods and beverages.

Puratein offers such functional properties as emulsifying and binding characteristics, and it is transparent when added to beverages, according to Burcon NutraScience.

Luis Mejia, director of scientific and regulatory affairs for ADM, was the primary author of the study titled "A 13-week sub-chronic dietary toxicity study of a cruciferin-rich canola protein isolate in rats." The rats were fed Puratein as a protein source at various dietary levels.

"With the publication of this study we are another step closer to having our canola protein isolates GRAS notified," said Johann F. Tergesen, president and chief operating officer of Burcon NutraScience. "A number of the global food and beverage companies who have entered into material transfer agreements with Burcon to evaluate our canola proteins have indicated their desire that Puratein and Supertein attain GRAS notification."

Burcon NutraScience and ADM also have submitted a toxicology study conducted for Supertein canola protein isolate to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. If that study is accepted, Burcon NutraScience and ADM then plan to submit the GRAS notification for Puratein and Supertein to the F.D.A.