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Ectoin® origin

Ectoin® is a small organic molecule that is synthesized and accumulated inside of extremophiles, i.e. microorganisms that thrive under extreme environmental conditions. 


This small protective molecule creates a large effect: it stabilizes and maintains biological structures (membranes, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids) and protects the extremophiles from environmental stresses such as variations in temperature, high salt concentrations, strong UV radiation, or dehydration. Ectoin® is an amphoteric, water-binding molecule. It is generally compatible with the cellular metabolism without adversely affecting the biopolymers or physiologic processes and belongs to the groups of so-called compatible solutes.

Ice Desert

Salt Desert

Boiling Spring

Desert

Ectoin® production

Ectoin® is produced by a fermentation process in a bioreactor, by cultivating a specific, non GMO (non genetically modified organism) strain of the halophilic bacteria Halomonas elongata. After the concentration of Ectoin® reaches a certain threshold, the downstream and purification process is started.


The downstream process consists of several steps to remove the microorganisms and other impurities, including micro/ultrafiltration, electro dialysis, chromatography, drying and crystallization procedures.


The production of Ectoin® is performed by bitop AG in Witten, Germany. The entire process is subject to a certified quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 13485, fully monitored by bitop. 

Simplified representation of manufacturing process

Scientific information
regarding Ectoin®

The mode of action and the effect of Ectoin® were investigated in various experiments and studies. Some of the results have already been published. Here, you can download scientific information or you are forwarded to the publisher where you can buy such papers.

Allergy


  1. Eichel A, Bilstein A, Werkhäuser N, Mösges R. (2014) Meta-analysis of the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. J Allergy (Cairo) Epub

  2. Sonnemann U, Möller M, Bilstein  A. (2014) Noninterventional open-label trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ectoine containing nasal spray in comparison with beclomethasone nasal spray in patients with allergic rhinitis. J Allergy (Cairo) Epub

  3. Sonnemann, U. and Sonne. (2013) Die nächste Generation der natürlichen Heuschnupfen-Produkte. pharmaJournal , 36. (GENERIC) 
    Ref Type: Magazine Article

  4. Salapatek, A, Bates, M, Bilstein, A, and Patel, D. (2011) Ectoin®, a Novel, Non-Drug, Extremophile-Based Device, Relieves Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Symptoms in Patients in an Environmental Exposure Chamber Model.  Anual Meeting 2011.

  5. Salapatek A, Bates M, Bilstein A, Patel D. (2011)  Ectoin®, a Novel, Non-Drug, Extremophile-Based Device, Relieves Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Symptoms in Patients in an Environmental Exposure Chamber Model. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 127 (2):AB202

  6. Unfried K, Kroker M, Autengruber A, Gotic' M, Sydlik U. (2014) The compatible solute ectoine reduces the exacerbating effect of environmental model particles on the immune response of the airways. J Allergy (Cairo) Epub

  7. Werkhäuser N, Bilstein A, Sonnemann U. (2014) Treatment of allergic rhinitis with ectoine containing nasal spray and eye drops in comparison with azelastine containing nasal spray and eye drops or with cromoglycic Acid containing nasal spray. J Allergy (Cairo) Epub

  8. Bilstein, A. and Sonnemann, U. (2011) Nasal spray and eye drops containing ectoine, a novel natural, non-drug anti-allergic substance are not less effective than azelastine nasal spray and eye drops in improving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. 30th Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 11-15 June 2011. EAACI . (GENERIC)
    Ref Type: Conference Proceeding

  9. Bilstein, A., Salapatek, A, Patel, P., and Lentzen, G. (2011) Topical treatments based on ectoine, a novel, non-drug, extremophile-based substance, relieves allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in patients in an environmental eexposure chamber model. 30th Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 11-15 June 2011. EAACI . (GENERIC)
    Ref Type: Conference Proceeding

  10. Sonnemann U, Moeller E, Bilstein A. (2010) Ectoine-containing nasal spray - a medical device - is as effective as the pharmaceutical drug cromoglycate nasal spray in improving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis [Abstract]. Allergy 65:



Dermatology


  1. Bünger J, Degwert J, Driller H. (2001) The protective function of compatible solute Ectoin® on the skin cells and its biomolecules with respect to UV-ratiation, immunosupression and membrane damage. IFSCC Magazine 4 (2):1-6

  2. Bünger J, Driller H. (2004) Ectoin: an effective natural substance to prevent UVA-induced premature photoaging. Skin Pharmacol.Physiol 17 (5):232-237

  3. Dirschka T. (2008) Ectoin® - Anwendung und Perspektiven für die Dermatologie. Akt.Dermatol. 34:115-118

  4. Heinrich U, Garbe B, Tronnier H. (2007) In vivo assessment of Ectoin: A randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 20 (4):211-8

  5. Marini A, Reinelt K, Krutmann J, Bilstein A. (2014) Ectoine-Containing Cream in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomised, Comparator-Controlled, Intra-Individual Double-Blind, Multi-Center Trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 27:57-65

  6. Vestweber, A.-M. (2009) Das Stressschutzmolekül MedEctoin® zeigt positive Ergebnisse bei der Psoriasis und in der topischen Applikation bei Patienten mit trockener, schuppiger Haut. Naturheilpraxis mit Naturmedizin 09/2009, 2-7. (GENERIC)
    Ref Type: Magazine Article



Pneumology


  1. 2013) COPD Naturstoff bremst Entzündung. Gero's internationaler Medizin-Report 5, 38-39. (GENERIC)
    Ref Type: Magazine Article

  2. Peuschel H, Sydlik U, Haendeler J, Büchner N, Stöckmann D, Kroker M, Wirth R, Brock W, Unfried K. (2010) c-Src-mediated activation of Erk1/2 is a reaction of epithelial cells to carbon nanoparticle treatment and may be a target for a molecular preventive strategy. Biol.Chem. 391 (11):1327-1332

  3. Peuschel H, Sydlik U, Grether-Beck S, Felsner I, Stöckmann D, Jakob S, Kroker M, Haendeler J, Goti M, Bieschke C, Krutmann J, Unfried K. (2012) Carbon nanoparticles induce ceramide- and lipid raft-dependent signalling in lung epithelial cells: a target for a preventive strategy against environmentally-induced lung inflammation. Part Fibre Toxicol. 9 (48)

  4. Sydlik U, Gallitz I, Albrecht C, Abel J, Krutmann J, Unfried K. (2009) The compatible solute ectoine protects against nanoparticle-induced neutrophilic lung inflammation. Am.J.Respir.Crit Care Med. 180 (1):29-35

  5. Sydlik U, Peuschel H, Paunel-Görgülü A, Keymel S, Krämer U, Weissenberg A, Kroker M, Seghrouchni S, Heiss C, Windolf J, Bilstein A, Kelm M, Krutmann J, Unfried K. (2013) Recovery of neutrophil apoptosis by ectoine: a new strategy against lung inflammation. Eur Respir J 41:433-442

  6. Unfried K, Sydlik U, Peuschel H, Albrecht C, Bilstein A, Krutmann J. (2010) The compatible solute ectoine prevents neutrophilic lung inflammation induced by environmental model nanoparticles in vivo [Abstract]. European Respiratory Journal 36:

  7. Eichel A, Wittig J, Sha-Hosseini K, Mösges R. (2013) A prospective, controlledstudy of SNS01 (ectoine nasal spray) compared to BNO-101 (phytotherapeutic dragées) in patients with acute rhinosinusitis. CMRO Epub ahead of print



Sicca Syndrom


  1. Sonnemann U, Scherner O, Werkhäuser N. (2014) Treatment of rhinitis sicca anterior with ectoine containing nasal spray. J Allergy (Cairo) Epub



Ophtalmology


  1. Dwivedi M, Backers H, Harishchandra R, Galla H. (2014) Biophysical investigations of the structure and function of the tear fluid lipid layer and the effect of ectoine. Part A: Natural meibomian lipid films. Biochim Biophys Acta Epub ahead of print

  2. Dwivedi M, Brinkkötter M, Harishchandra R, Galla H. (2014) Biophysical investigations of the structure and function of the tear fluid lipid layers and the effect of ectoine. Part B: Artificial lipid films. Biochim Biophys Acta Epub



Ectoin®


  1. Galinski EA, Pfeiffer HP, Truper HG. (1985) 1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. A novel cyclic amino acid from halophilic phototrophic bacteria of the genus Ectothiorhodospira. Eur J Biochem 149 (1):135-9

  2. Arakawa T, Timasheff SN. (1985) The stabilization of proteins by osmolytes. Biophys J 47 (3):411-4

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