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Natural Antioxidants

Natural Antioxidants - Rosmarinic Acid and Carnosic Acid

Natural extracts that possess antioxidant properties are becoming ever more widely used by the food industry, as replacements for synthetic antioxidants. Carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid are natural antioxidants that can be widely found in herbs of the Labiatae family, which includes rosemary, oregano and sage. Rosmarinic acid is water-soluble and is therefore suited to aqueous applications, whereas carnosic acid is oil-soluble and therefore more suitable for oil-based applications such as the prevention of rancidity.

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Extracts of Labiatae herbs can have both flavouring and antioxidant properties, and there has been particular interest in the use of rosemary extract over recent years. All rosemary extracts, even those maximally deodorised, have a relatively strong rosemary taste, which controls excessive consumption. The extracts that we are offering have been prepared to reduce the aroma to undetectable levels at the level of use necessary to achieve antioxidant effects.

Applications

Rosmarinic acid is a free radical scavenger and has applications in food and beverages. It is particularly suited to aqueous or bi-polar systems and has been used successfully in soft drinks, fruit preparations and beer to increase product shelf life and to prevent the deterioration of flavour and colour. Dose rates will vary with application, but a level of 4 – 10mg/kg is usually sufficient. Extensive trials in the brewing and soft drinks industries have been carried out and the flavour stability has been enhanced considerably, particularly when products are subjected to temperature abuse.

Production

Botanix Ltd grows and processes 100% of its products in the UK and has total traceability from seed to end product. Botanix is an ISO 9001/2000 registered company and has full HACCP procedures in place for all products.

Analytical methods

HPLC methods for the analysis of rosmarinic acid or carnosic acid are available on request.

Legislative status of Rosmarinic acid solutions

These products are 100% natural and contain no additives other than the solvent (ethanol) used to prepare the extracts. They are permitted for use in the US under US 21CFR101.22 and 21CFR182.20 and are included in the FEMA GRAS list 3001 and 2992. In the EU, herb extracts that contain rosmarinic or carnosic acid are declared as a flavouring or herb extract, despite having secondary antioxidant properties.