The move follows the launch in May this year of a powdered extract of the Amla fruit for use as a functional food and cosmetics ingredient.
The superfruit Amla, or Indian Gooseberry (phyllanthus emblica), is an antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative stress and degradation of skin proteins, and is said to enhance the firmness of the skin.
Powder sticks
Avesthagen said yesterday in a statement that its Avesta Organic Amla is a 100 percent water soluble powder, available to the consumer market in stick packs.
“This multifunctional powder can turn any beverage into an antioxidant powerhouse or give a rejuvenative boost to skin care products. Amla is one of nature’s richest sources of Vitamin C and has benefits for healthy aging, digestion and immune function,” said the firm.
Avesta Organic Amla is marketed as being “naturally rich in Vitamin C, gallotannins, gallates, polyphenols and other powerful, plant bioactives.”
The firm said its powdered Amla product is made from the fresh fruit rather than dried fruits. It claims this results in a higher vitamin C and gallotannin content than competitive Amla products.
The product has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of over 1,500 per serving, said the firm.
Antioxidant needs
The ORAC system is a commonly used value used to measure antioxidant capacity in a given composition.
Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals that can damage the body's cells. Free radicals can build up in the body and cause oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to the ageing process and several diseases.
Along with its reported high ORAC value, the company says that its Amla food ingredient - AmlaPure – is also standardized to two per cent natural vitamin C.