The ingredients represent an extension of the group’s diana food brand of natural, sustainable ingredients and comprises two products (aronia extract and aronia juice powder) targeting food, beverage, and supplement market.
Both products are standardised in polyphenols and anthocyanins and offer a broad range of possible applications.
“We see aronia as a potent natural ingredient with almost limitless application opportunities,” says Symrise Food & Beverage, Global Health Business Leader – Naturals Business Unit, Nathalie Richer.
“We’ve created some exciting concepts such as energy and immunity gummies. These include a unique combination of aronia polyphenols and natural vitamin C from acerola and thus contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.”
New super fruit
Traditionally used by Native Americans as a cold remedy, aronia (Aronia melanocarpa), or black chokeberry, is a super fruit known for its high concentration of antioxidants. The fruit’s therapeutic properties were first identified in the 16th century but aronia remains a largely untapped source of antioxidants.
The small purple berry grows on shrubs of the Rosaceae family and helps protect plants from environmental stress. Although native to North America, it is also found throughout Europe.
The benefits of aronia are well-documented, including for immune support and cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Ingredients profile
Symrise proprietary aronia extract is a carrier-free, free-flowing product with a specific proanthocyanidin-anthocyanin ratio. The soluble powder contains a high total polyphenolic and total proanthocyanins content, with a minimum of 50% total polyphenols and 10% anthocyanins.
A novel cellular model was used to demonstrate the specific multiple cellular antioxidative properties of aronia extract on different cell types, including intestinal cells. Symrise has subsequently filed a patent application for the extract.
Meanwhile, the spray-dried, soluble aronia juice powder features a minimum of 2% total polyphenols and 0.2% anthocyanins.
Recommended formats for aronia extract include capsules, tablets, powder sticks, nutritional shots, and gummies. Suggested applications for the juice powder include powder drinks, healthy beverages, snacks, and foods.
Naturally healthy
The diana food portfolio includes a range of natural vitamins, such as acerola and sea buckthorn (for added vitamin C), carrot (a natural source of pro-vitamin A), red beet (with a broad mineral content), and prune (a source of the dietary fibre inulin).
Symrise has developed considerable expertise in sourcing and selecting berries with different organoleptic profiles and nutritional benefits, while preserving taste qualities. The berries portfolio currently comprises three species of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium corymbosum) and raspberry.
Ingredients are screened and selected from the ‘best bio-actives’ based on their health-giving properties. ‘Green’ extraction is carried out using water or hydro-ethanol, and the purification process delivers high concentrations of actives for maximum efficacity.
Richer comments: “We ensure the high quality of our products from the sourcing of our raw material to the delivery of the products, allowing our customers to completely trust the authenticity, traceability, and scientific validity of our ingredients in their formulations.”
