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KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- Nearly 100 scientists from around the world gathered in Kannapolis on Monday for the first International Workshop on Anthocyanins to be held in the United States.

"Anthocyanin pigments are powerful molecules," said Dr. Mary Ann Lila, N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute director.

They're probably something you've never heard of, but you know what they look like.

"The red and blue pigment that is responsible for giving color to fruits and vegetables," said Lila.

Through a collaboration just a couple years in the making, N.C. State and Rutgers Universities developed a natural ingredient at the NC Research Campus.

"Not only is this a natural pigment, and alternative to synthetics and food colorant, but it also has health properties all by itself," said Lila.

The pigment most prevalent in blueberries is extracted, leaving behind the sugar and water, and delivering a product that can prevent the leading causes of death.

"Cardiovascular health, many stages of cancer, cognitive and motor health, type two diabetes," said Lila.

According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, only half of the recommended dose of fruit and vegetables is consumed by the average American.

"Sometimes it's not portable enough, a school lunch, or the army with their ration kits they cant carry these fruits and vegetables, this is to carry these fruits and vegetables in a very lightweight because the water is gone, shelf stable, sugar free form and to have available the important active ingredients in a fruit and vegetable in a form thats easy to eat, and actually delicious," said Lila.
 
This joint effort has spawned a new company, Nutrasorb, that will bring this ingredient to major food companies that will make affordable, healthy food products, that will outlast traditional fruits and vegetables.
 
"It's shelf stable, put it on your shelf and do not worry about its gonna degrade in your refrigerator," said Lila.
 
Even for someone who already has the food pyramid figured out, there's more benefits. Before you can eat this ingredient, you'll be able to wear it.
 
"Cosmetic, that is specifically formulated to have anti inflammatory properties, to reduce wrinkles, to enhance the skin in some way," said Lila.
 
And if that's not enough, Lila, says it will even stimulate the economy, with the agriculture so familiar to North Carolina.
 
"Certainly as the major food companies develop new products using this technology, it will stimulate the demand for the crops in the field."
 
Researchers say they're in the latter stages of negotiations with U.S. companies and the ingredient will be available within a year.