SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - Mar 5, 2012) - Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc. (OTCBB: [ PLPL ]) Chief Executive Officer Roger Duffield today discussed a recently published study that demonstrated improved function in the area of the pancreas responsible for insulin production in laboratory mice treated with chemicals found in green tea gallate extract.

The study, published in Nutrition & Metabolism, reported the results of diabetes susceptible mice that had received a clinical dose of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the four primary catechins found in fresh tea leaves. The EGCG supplementation appeared to not only protect the islets of Langerhans in treated mice from the changes associated with onset diabetes, but were shown to have increased the number and size of the islets. Beta cells found in the islets of Langerhans, located in the pancreas, are responsible for insulin production in humans. The study concluded that dietary supplementation of purified ECGC could be a way to confer beta cell protection and encouraged randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Mr. Duffield commented, "The anecdotal benefits of green tea have been known for centuries, with herbalists using it to benefit cardiovascular health and help treat certain cancers among a long list of other perceived benefits. It's exciting to now see medical science coming on board and supporting what we've always known. Plandaí's proprietary process for producing green tea gallate catechin extract in a manner that is more cost effective and with improved bioavailability sets us in the forefront of this rapidly expanding market."

According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects more than 220 million people globally and the consequences of high blood sugar kills 3.4 million every year. The total costs associated with treating this condition are estimated at $174 billion annually, with $116 billion being direct costs for medication.

The full study is titled "Diet Supplementation With Green Tea Extract Epigallocatechin Gallate Prevents Progression To Glucose Intolerance In db/db Mice," was published February 14, 2012 in Nutrition & Metabolism, and is available at [ www.nutritionandmetabolism.com ].

About Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc.

Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc., through its recent acquisition of Global Energy Solutions, Ltd. and its subsidiaries, focuses on the farming of whole fruits, vegetables and live plant material and the production of proprietary functional foods and botanical extracts for the health and wellness industry. Its principle holdings consist of land, farms and infrastructure in South Africa.

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