BHB—A healthy ingredient attracting worldwide attention OKETOA™ Naturally derived ketone body

What are ketone bodies?

What effects do ketone bodies have?

Ketone bodies are composed of D-β-hydroxybutyric acid (D-BHB), which is produced in the body as an energy source when sugar, utilized as an energy source in the body, becomes depleted (when carbohydrate is restricted).
Recently, D-BHB has been shown to be an energy source that elicits various physiological effects superior to sugar and is attracting attention around the world as a raw material for supplements, etc.
Osaka Gas has succeeded in mass-producing D-BHB from naturally derived materials by fermentation for the first time in the world.

Characteristics of the naturally derived D-BHB
“OKETOA^TM“

OKETOA™ is a naturally derived ketone body manufactured by fermentation using sugar as a raw material.

Manufactured by natural sugar as a raw material

OKETOA^TM is a naturally derived D-BHB manufactured by fermentation using sugar as a raw material.

OKETOA™ is a highly pure product, with all undesirable components from the fermentation liquor removed.

Highly purified

OKETOA^TM is a highly pure product, with removal of impurities in fermentation broth.

OKETOA™ is produced using non-recombinant bacteria, and without the use of organic solvents in the manufacturing process.

Safety

OKETOA^TM is produced using non-recombinant bacteria, and without the use of organic solvents in the manufacturing process.

Production flow of the naturally derived D-BHB
“OKETOA^TM“

We provide a highly purified naturally derived D-BHB, “OKETOA^TM“
prepared by fermentation of natural raw materials in the form of an easily usable bulk product.

Development product introduction

Powder type

Development product name	D-BHB-Na, Ca, Mg
How D-BHB is supplied	D-BHB sodium salt
	D-BHB calcium salt
	D-BHB magnesium salt
Content	20 kg/bag
Storage method	Avoid direct sunlight and store in a cool dark place.
Expiration period	Two years, including the day of manufacturing
Appearance	White or pale yellow powder
Purity	95% or higher (as organic acid)
Optical purity	95% e.e. or higher (D-form)

Liquid type

Development product name	40 w/w% D-BHB aqueous solution
How D-BHB is supplied	40 w/w% aqueous solution
Content	20 kg/bottle
Storage method	Avoid direct sunlight and store in a cool dark place.
Expiration period	One year, including the day of manufacturing
Appearance	Clear or pale yellow liquid
Purity	95% or higher (as organic acid)
Optical purity	95% e.e. or higher (D-form)

Blood ketone body level after oral administration

Oral intake of D-BHB is reported to increase blood D-BHB level by 2.5 times vs. oral administration of the same weight of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).

	Intake amount/g	Maximum blood level/mM
D-BHB	12	1.2 ± 0.1
MCT	15	0.62 ± 0.06

出典：Bernard C. et. al., Frontiers in Nutrition., Vol 7, No 13, 2020

Safety of D-BHB

Safety study

(1) Ames test

Gene mutation in five indicator strains.
Mutation induction was not observed.

(2) Single dose test

Oral administration in mice at a dose of 4 g/kg did not cause any deaths.

(3) Repeated dose test (28 days)

Oral administration in rats at a dose of 2 g/kg/day did not cause any toxicity.

(4) Oral administration test in humans (42 days)

Repeated oral administration at a dose of 14 g/day did not cause any significant events.

* (1) – (3): In-house data
(4)：Angelia M. et. al., J. insul. resist.,Vol 4, No 1, 2019

Storage test

Storage stability of D-BHB-Na powder (25℃)

Deterioration was not observed for one year.

We also probide the fermented D-BHB for cosmetics
“OHALOS^TM“
Please inquire using the following form:

For details, click here

Q&A

What is D-BHB?: D-BHB is short for D-β-hydroxybutyric acid. It is an organic acid generated when fat is decomposed under sugar-restricted conditions and serves as an energy source. It is attracting enormous interest because it elicits various physiological effects.
Are there food products that contain a large amount of D-BHB?: Milk, liver, etc. contain a minute amount of D-BHB. However, it is difficult to ingest D-BHB in large amounts from food.
What is the best feature of D-BHB (OKETOA^TM) made by Osaka Gas?: The D-BHB (OKETOA^TM) made by Osaka Gas is in the D-form and was successfully mass-produced by fermentation using naturally derived sugar as a raw material for the first time in the world. All the raw materials used in production are of food grade; thus, D-BHB (OKETOA^TM) is expected to be used as a raw material in various foods, etc.
Is D-BHB sold in foreign countries?: D-BHB is sold in the United States and other countries as a supplement. Most D-BHB products on the market are synthesized chemically. However, OKETOA^TM is manufactured from naturally derived raw materials by fermentation.
I am worried about safety. How is quality control performed?: OKETOA^TM is manufactured using non-recombinant bacteria.
It is manufactured in a certified food manufacturing plant, and organic solvents are not used in the manufacturing process.
Is there data confirming safety? How is safety data confirmed?: Adverse events were not observed in the following tests:
(1) Ames test
Mutation induction was not observed in any of five indicator strains.
(2) Single dose test
Oral administration in mice at a dose of 4 g/kg did not cause any deaths.
(3) Repeated dose test
Oral administration in rats at a dose of 2 g/kg/day for 28 days did not cause any toxicity.
Is there a recommended daily intake amount for OKETOA^TM?: Regarding the recommended daily intake amount, please inquire using the form.
Does excessive intake affect health?: Because D-BHB is produced in the body when sugar intake is restricted, the amount of intake defined as excessive has not been determined. However, if you ingest excessive amounts of the powder type product, you may run the risk of excessive salt intake. It has been reported in the literature that in a human clinical study, the intake of D-BHB at a regimen of seven grams twice daily for six weeks did not show a significant influence on health.
Angelia M. et. al., J. insul. resist.,Vol 4, No 1, 2019
How is OKETOA^TM used in the food sector? Are prototype samples available?: We assume that the product will be used widely in supplements, nutrient drinks, seasonings, etc. We have prototype samples of drinks, etc. (although we are not planning to launch them as products), so if you are interested, please contact us.
How is OKETOA^TM supplied?: Currently, we only supply the material in powder or liquid form.
What kind of flavor does OKETOA^TM have?: Liquid type OKETOA^TM has an acidic flavor.
When dissolved in water, powder type OKETOA^TM has a slightly bitter and salty taste.
Does taking OKETOA^TM really show an effect?: Because OKETOA^TM is not a drug, we do not guarantee its efficacy. However, we recommend to regularly consume OKETOA^TM as a food material.
How stable is the material?: It shows high stability at temperatures between refrigeration temperature and room temperature. Due to possible decomposition of the components, we do not recommend handling the product at high temperatures exceeding 100°C for a long time.
Can D-BHB be safely taken by children or pregnant women?: Because we do not have data on intake by children and pregnant women, we recommend that they refrain from taking it.
Are additives, preservatives, fragrances, decolorizing agents, etc. used?: Additives, preservatives, fragrances, decolorizing agents, etc. are not used.
Does OKETOA^TM contain allergens?: OKETOA^TM does not contain allergens.
Are there uses for the product other than in food?: At Osaka Gas, we also provide the development product as an additive for cosmetics (D-BHB [OHALOS^TM]).
For details, please inquire using the form.
How much does OKETOA^TM cost?: Please inquire using the form.
Can individuals be provided OKETOA^TM?: OKETOA^TM is provided only as a raw material. We therefore do not provide it to individuals.
I would like to know more detail about D-BHB and OKETOA^TM.: Please inquire using the following form:
Please note that we do not accept inquiries from individuals.