ZBiotics Company has launched a functional beverage that contains a genetically engineered probiotic bacteria designed to break down acetaldehyde, an unwanted byproduct of alcohol that is associated with rough feelings the day after drinking. The new product from the San Francisco startup marks the first time this biotechnology has been applied to probiotics. .
To create ZBiotics, company co-founder/CEO and PhD microbiologist, Zack Abbott, started with a naturally occurring probiotic bacteria, then genetically engineered its DNA to replicate the natural process that takes place in the liver when alcohol is consumed: the production of an enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde.
"Our environment and lifestyles have changed dramatically over the last few thousand years, and as it relates to biotechnology, we no longer have to wait for the next few hundred thousand years for our anatomy to catch up," explained Abbott.
Founded in 2016, ZBiotics is thoughtfully positioned at the forefront of the "GMO 2.0" movement, inventing game-changing consumer products using sophisticated bioengineering techniques in a responsible, transparent, and accessible manner. It's a new type of genetic engineering company: one that puts people first and that shares clear, detailed information about their technology, their intentions, and their mission to educate and empower consumers to make their own informed decisions about GMOs.
ZBiotics is the result of years of rigorous research and testing, and provides a novel solution. But this first product is just the beginning. The team says it is already working on building other novel solutions using the same technology.
"Whether they are promoting increased levels of nutrient absorption or helping break down environmental toxins, the enhanced probiotics we are building will provide consumers with new health-promoting functionalities," said Abbott.
