Is there Poo Poo in your Green Food?

Poo Poo in your Green Food ?

Rebekah Fine – Quality Assurance Specialist

Did you know that the sodium copper chlorophyllin supplements that you are taking may actually be derived from worm poo? The manufacturing of this ingredient is surrounded by controversy and its all to do with how its created.  Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) is a bright green mixture derived from natural chlorophyll that is being used today more and more as both a food supplement and colourant. The Sodium copper chlorophyllin complex is a semisynthetic mixture of the water-soluble sodium salt of copper chlorophyllin and small molecule analogs derived from plant chlorophyll that possesses a unique combination of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. (1) Due to these properties it is utilised mainly for the properties of  its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects  as well as for its effectiveness at blocking uptake of aflatoxin-B1 in humans. Aflatoxin-B1 is metabolised to a carcinogen capable of binding DNA and causing mutations. Chlorophyllin has been shown previously to reduce carcinogen bioavailability, biomarker damage and tumorigenicity in trout and rats (2). It also has properties which enable it to be used as a natural internal deodorant and a colourant due to its natural vibrant green colour. (3) Whilst there is no concrete scientific evidence to verify chlorophyllin’s medicinal effects it is a widely used ingredient in supplements especially for older age groups.

Liquid Chlorophyll in Water isolated on white Background

But where does it come from and how is it created? Sodium copper chlorophyllin is derived from natural chlorophyll which can come from the mulberry leaf. Believe it or not, the chlorophyllin is extracted from silkworm excrement after they have eaten and digested the mulberry leaf. This is a slightly controversial  method for extracting natural chemicals found in plants. In fact worm castings – better known as worm poo are regarded as the richest natural fertiliser known to humans. (4) As worms digest organic food, they reduce nutrients to their most usable form. However although this is an effective technique it is not the most desirable method to get our food from. This method of derivation may be cheaper and in theory more unhygienic so make sure you buy from a liable source like Nutraceuticals as we have a solution.

We have worked to find a reliable partner that can source a vegan replacement of the exact same product. This involves extracting the chlorophyll from the Alfalfa plant and creating the sodium copper chlorophyllin by saponification and replacement of magnesium by copper. Alfalfa, which also can be known as lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant from the the legume family Fabaceae. It is grown as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. We have vetted our partners thoroughly to ensure we can avoid supplying this ingredient from worm castings! At Nutraceuticals we use our reliable manufacturing sites who are dedicated to ensuring this process is done safely and effectively to provide you with the highest quality sodium copper chlorophyllin on the market.

1.  Tumolo T, Lanfer-Marquez UM. Copper chlorophyllin: a food colourant with bioactive properties? Food Res Int. 2012;46(2):451–459. [Google Scholar]

1. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) (2009) 2 (12): 1015–1022. (https://aacrjournals.org/cancerpreventionresearch/article/2/12/1015/47813/Effects-of-Chlorophyll-and-Chlorophyllin-on-Low)

1. https://nutriscienceusa.com/product/sodium-copper-chlorophyllin/#:~:text=Sodium%20Copper%20Chlorophyllin%20is%20a,colorant%20and%20an%20internal%20deodorant.

1. https://wormfarmguru.com/what-are-worm-castings/

Please see the colours that we have on offer, or to discuss anything from our range of ingredients, speak to one our technically qualified Sales Team