The Queen Garnet Plum (QGP), bred using conventional means by scientists in Queensland, Australia in partnership with nutraceutical company Nutrafruit, is said to help fight the effects of aging and lifestyle diseases.
The company’s technical and marketing manager Mike Lehman told NutraIngredientsUSA.com: “We are in serious negotiations with US partners with regard to the exclusive rights to the US market for the juice concentrate. We also have a very well known multinational in the ingredients industry negotiating for the worldwide rights to the powder.”
Secrecy agreements prevent disclosure of the companies’ identities, he added.
Antioxidant capacity
A study by Queensland government scientists identified the QGP as having particularly high antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin content compared with other fruits. “QGP ranks above blackberries and blueberries and has similar capacity to cranberry in regards to antioxidant capacity measured by ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity),” according to the scientists.
Their research showed that QGP from the 2008 season had a anthocyanin content of 260mg/100g which compares well with other berry fruit such as bilberry at 215-300mg, blackberry at 135-152mg and blackcurrant at 135-152mg.
Roger Stanley, science leader with the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, said: “Research suggests that high levels of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, can help reduce the inflammation that is an underlying cause of certain cancers, heart disease and neurological degenerative disorders. The compounds have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in several studies overseas.”
The Queensland scientists believe QGP products could also benefit digestive health, bone health, vascular health, obesity and diabetes.
In addition to plum’s fibre, magnesium and potassium content, they are a rich source of sorbitol which has a laxative quality and may benefit healthy gut microflora.
Dried plums can benefit bone density while anthocyanins are thought to have a beneficial effect on occlusive vascular disease by the maintaining the production of nitric acid.
With regard to weight management and diabetes, an anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract has been shown to have a beneficial effect in preventing high obesity and normalizing blood glucose, leptin and insulin levels in mice fed a high fat diet.
Nutraceuticals
Apart from the health benefits of the fresh fruit, Nutrafruit is looking at processing the plum as a high-antioxidant ingredient for health drinks, related products, and other nutraceuticals, such as vitamin tablets.
The company’s director Hugh Macintosh said: “Because the fresh plum is currently only available for about one month on the market, processing it into a range. of health products would allow a year-round supply. It also opens up export options to markets, which currently have trade restrictions on stone fruit, but not on processed product.””
Between 13,000 to14,000 Queen Garnet plum trees are currently dedicated for juice production in Australia and a similar number will be planted in June/July this year. A further 60,000 trees will be planted next year.