The Moradyn project started in 2016 with the research of an anthocyanins rich vegetal source to develop a line of ingredients to produce functional foods and dietary supplements.
A purple colored variety of Zea mays L., due to its high anthocyanins content, was identified as a valuable source for extracting anthocyanins since different epidemiological and preclinical studies demonstrated that regular consumption of anthocyanins-rich foods is associated to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Moradyn®: GMO FREE Purple Corn, Cultivated in Italy
Moradyn®, Purple Maize variety, have been implemented using the classic breeding technique that provides value-added varieties especially from a nutritional point of view, without altering the original genetic prophylaxis. Purple corn original seeds from South America are indeed incapable of producing fruits at our latitudes. However, under special conditions, these plants can be used to pollinate European plants and produce an hybrid, starting point for subsequent backcrosses (bc) with the recurrent European parents.
Anti-obesity action
In vivo studies show the effectiveness of purple corn anthocyanins in normalizing serum insulin, glucose and lipid and body weight when associated with a high fat diet (3) C-3-G, specifically, increases gene- expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue and improves vasodilation endothelium-dependent and inhibit atherogenesis (2,3).
Antidiabetic action
In vivo experiments have shown the short and long-term anti-hyperglycemic activity of anthocyanins that help to maintain constant serum glucose levels (1).
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C-3-G (cyanidin-3-O-β-D-glucoside)
Moradyn® Extract
Many studies have documented their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, neuroprotective, and anti-tumor properties. Anthocyanins in this variety, and more specifically C-3-G (cyanidin-3-O-β-D-glucoside), carry out an action on physiological mechanisms linked to obesity, such as those involved in Type 2 diabetes .

In the fruit of purple corn anthocyanins are mostly associated with the cob (the central part of the corn ear, where the kernels are located) and the pericarp of the kernel (290-1323 mg / 100 g of anthocyanin in monomeric form and between 35 and 45% in acylated form on dry weight) (4).

Moradyn® Flour
 Story Moradyn Polenta
Moradyn® Natural Colorant
Anthocynins rich vegetables have been used for centuries to dye fabrics over a purplish-blue color. FlaNat Research started a new project to extract and use natural colorant from Moradyn corn to dye natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and hemp.


1) Hong S, Heo J, Kim J, Kwon S, Yeo K et al. (2013) Antidiabetic and Beta Cell-Protection Activities of Purple Corn Anthocyanins. Biomol Ther 21(4):284-289.
2) Liu Y, Li D, Zhang Y et al (2014). Anthocyanin increases adiponectin secretion and protects against diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction. Physiol Endocrinol Metab 306, E975-E988.
3) Tsuda T, Horio F, Uchida K et al (2003).Dietary Cyanidin 3-O-β-DGlucoside- Rich Purple Corn Color Prevents Obesity and Ameliorates Hyperglycemia. Mice J Nutr 133(7):2125-2130.



