Icelandic marine enzyme producer Zymetech (Ensímtaekni ehf.) has announced to develop dental care products, chewing gum, mouthwash, mouth spray and lozenges, which contain cod enzymes and are especially designed for the needs of soldiers. CEO of Zymetech, biochemist Dr. Jón Bragi Bjarnason explained that soldiers are not always able to access clean water to cleanse their teeth therefore these products would be of greta help.
Bjarnason also told that the idea for the dental products had come from Zymetech’s foreign partners, who work with the American and Australian Defense Ministries. They were looking into which enzymes were best-suited to clear the mouth off bacteria. He added that the company was working with enzymes from krill, which can be caught in large quantities in the Antarctic oceans.
Bjarnason opined that the experiment with krill enzymes ten years ago didn’t prove much beneficial so he suggested using cod enzymes instead. He told that it is much more economic, because unlike krill, cod doesn’t have to be caught especially for such production. The cod enzymes are extracted from the entrails and therefore the production couldn’t be greener.
Bjarnason informed that the experiment with cod was successful and the gum produces form cod is good for chewing, which clears the mouth of bacteria and swelling. He also told that the gum is produced in the conventional manner and then coated with the cod enzymes and finally glazed. It contains sweeteners but no sugar. He sees good future for this product.
