There was once an ancient culture. With Bionap it becomes contemporary. The high-quality physical, chemical and organoleptic properties of the Italian botanical heritage, known to the ancients, have been preserved and handed down by peasant traditions, regional cuisines and the medicinal uses of popular wisdom. Based on anthropological observations, Bionap has provided scientific and clinical evidence for the medicinal uses of native Mediterranean species. Bionap has returned to science and revealed to its industries nature’s elixirs for human beings, kept in the Mediterranean flora, with its research and products which can add days to our lives and life to our days.
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Wellness ingredients from the Mediterranean. The Sicilian Blood Orange is the most iconic fruit of eastern Sicily. Those who originally imported this fruit certainly could not have known that, in addition to its exceptional pigmentation, this citrus contains a high concentration of antioxidants. And also, they could not have known that, thanks to the bioactive substances extracted from these citrus fruits, in 1997 a startup, composed of young researchers, would be recognized as international players in the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. The founding of Bionap was due to Professor Francesco Bonina’s insights and studies on special pigmented varieties of typical citruses grown in the volcanic soil surrounding Mount Etna – namely, the Moro, Tarocco and Sanguinello. Red Orange Complex, the first success of the company, was obtained from the juice and peel of the three varieties of Etna’s red oranges. The antioxidant and anti-radical Red Orange Complex is crucial to the formulation of dietary and nutritional products,
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functional foods, anti-aging and after-sun cosmetics, because it can both reduce oxidative stress in athletes, smokers and diabetics, as well as inhibit sunburn and other damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Morosil® is derived from Moro oranges, one of the typical varieties of Etna, with its characteristic purplish red colour: an enemy to the accumulation of fat, a powerful ally in the fight against obesity, and a perfect ingredient in weight management food supplements. Bionap’s study of Bergamot citrus derives from anthropological research on Calabrian folk medicine whose Mediterranean origins are legendarily attributed to Christopher Columbus: the result is Bergavit®, derived from 100% bergamot co-products, adjuvant in the prevention and reduction of dyslipidemia, and an invaluable ally in the fight against cholesterol. But not only standardized extracts from citrus fruits are part of the company’s success; in its portfolio Bionap also has prickly pear cactus and the olive tree, perhaps the most famous representative of Mediterranean flora.
Guaranteed quality, from the seed to the active substance. Bionap’s products meet the highest international food and health industry standards, as attested by its certifications. Food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries know they can count on the quality and safety of Bionap natural extracts. The careful and continuous monitoring of the production cycle allows Bionap to obtain high quality standard products. Products are carefully tested by the chemical-analytical-house laboratory and supported by clinical studies published in renowned international magazines. In fact, the trackable raw materials come exclusively from rigidly selected farms. Among these, there is Boniser, the company specializing in medicinal plants with high added value. Applied technology, profound knowledge of the industry, maximum attention to environmental protection issues enable Boniser to cultivate, collect and transform high quality officinal plants with the best biocompatibility standards.
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Produce to protect. Industrialization and commercial logics in agriculture have favoured the genetic uniformity, intensive farming and monocultures, based on criteria of quantitative homogeneous production, rather than quality, at the expense of diversity and the survival of local species. However, science and culture are promoting a big change in the trend, aimed at re-evaluating the traditional agricultural system, preserving the ecosystem and promoting biodiversification. For twenty years, Bionap’s products have enhanced and promoted the protection of natural heritage and local products, encouraging biodiversity; the company selects and preserves plant species with medicinal properties through research.
Mediterranean Celebration. Anyone who has visited the Mediterranean knows that it’s filled with Mother Nature’s most precious treasures. Southern Italy is especially rich in history and natural resources. Sicily, in particular, bears the marks of various civilizations that came to the island over the centuries. Namely, a heritage of art and culture, but also a diversity of plants and fruits which enriched the already precious native flora. Whether they came from the Far East or from beyond the Pillars of Hercules, the fruits of those foreign lands generated new varieties with special nutritional and medicinal properties. Bionap has its roots in these foreign lands and age-old traditions. Bionap specializes in standardized natural extracts derived from Mediterranean plants and fruits, for the nutraceutical, cosmetic and veterinary fields. For twenty years, Bionap has established itself as a guardian and ambassador of the health properties of natural products and co-products from the entire Mediterranean region.
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Aware of the world we live in. The company constantly sensitizes its staff to current environmental issues, so that they are aware of the environmental aspects of their activities. Employees are thus committed to protecting the ecosystem in which they operate and to preserving it for future generations. At the same time, Bionap ensures a suitable work environment for its employees in order to safeguard their health, safety, physical and moral integrity, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
A reputation for integrity and honesty. Through integrity and honesty Bionap fights against all forms of corruption. A well-deserved reputation, gained over twenty years, has always distinguished Bionap in trade relations, conducted without compromising corporate ethics. For Bionap, no benefit or gain justifies immoral behaviour not compliant with business ethics.
A great company of people. In 1997 Bionap is a start-up, where young, passionate and talented researches work. Today, after twenty years, the company has gained a strong experience. In order to be ready for the future’s new challenges, Bionap provides its employees with the best training, so as to increase their skills and foster business success. A lot of space and attention are reserved to young talents that allow the company to have new ideas and early perceptions of the future. The Mediterranean culture has been formed and prospered through the millennial people’s knowledge sharing. This is what Bionap teaches since twenty years, allowing the Company to grow and exceed all standards of excellence, encouraging new insights, pursuing innovative ideas, and promoting workplace dialogue between the teams. In Bionap, the professional and moral qualities of each employee are recognized, valued, and rewarded through merit-based policies. In line with the business ethics, Bionap does not allow any form of discrimination against its employees and collaborators, and gives to the employees the opportunity to work in a dynamic, multi-ethnic and stimulating environment.
Researchers for Nature. The Research and Development department has enabled Bionap to grow fast and embrace new challenges. Bionap provides and guarantees reliable, quality products to a constantly evolving world. The scientific work that supports the efficacy and safety of products is maintained through collaboration with prestigious public and private research centres. Bionap’s efforts are focused on research and development not only with regards to new ingredients, but also the best performing procedures of extraction and industrial production. Procedures, of course, are compliant to rigid corporate, regulatory and environmental standards.
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