The Momence, Illinois-based company offers a range of freeze-dried fruit ingredients for nutraceutical applications and says each one brings a strength of its own in terms of healthy potential and consumer association.
Cherry is a particularly easy sell for packaging purposes, according to Futureceuticals, because customers already link the fruits with feel-good attributes.
"Cherry flavor is a very popular flavor - people do associate with it as a fruit that looks good and tastes good," Futureceuticals product manager Kay Kapteyn told NutraIngredients-USA. Futureceuticals intends Vitacherry for use in nutritional and meal replacement bars, nutritional supplements, healthy glucose management products, as well as gout and healthy aging applications.
An additional benefit of the ingredient it says, is that it also provides products with an appetizing taste and color.
Part of the company's Vitaline, Vitacherry can be standardized to various anthocyanin levels according the anthocyanin activity clients want displayed on their labels.
Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants thought to capture free radicals and prevent them from causing molecular and cellular damage.
Cherries have been linked by scientific research for their potential benefits in relieving a host of health conditions including joint inflammation, arthritis pain and gout, as well as for supporting heart health and a healthy glucose metabolism.
Futureceuticals freeze-dries its berry ingredients.
"When you freeze-dry you maintain 100 percent of the original fresh fruit phytochemicals," said Kapteyn.
She added that the benefit of spray- or air-drying is that it is more economical.
The Vitaline also includes ingredients derived from blueberries, cherries, cranberries, grapes and vegetables.