Top 5 raw materials of global plant extracts

Plant extracts can be used not only as dietary supplements, but also in food and beverage applications. According to the latest statistics from Innova, in 2019, the new categories of plant extracts tracked globally are soft drinks (13%), ready-to-eat meals and side dishes (10%), and baked (9%). The top five raw materials used are: rosemary extract, hops extract, onion extract, guarana extract, and Luo Han Guo extract.


Rosemary extract-flavorant antioxidant

The most used plant extract in 2019 new products is rosemary extract. Rosemary itself is a spice, with a special fragrance, which can make people sober. Rosemary extract contains carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, carnosol and other effective ingredients. It not only has the antioxidant effect of traditional plant extracts, but also prevents oxidative deterioration of oils and oxidative discoloration of food, and is more antiseptic, Antibacterial and other effects. In addition, rosemary extract is still very stable in a high temperature environment of 240 degrees, so it can be well used in fried and baked foods.

Many plant-derived antioxidants are not stable to light or heat. Rosemary extract does not have these problems. Therefore, it can exert its natural antiseptic resistance in dietary supplements, beverages, fresh meat, and even condiments. Oxidation, which also makes many foreign foods and beverages for mid-to-high-end markets add rosemary extract as flavor and antioxidant. For example, there is a new soft-baked cookie that contains almond powder, honey, organic coconut sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flaxseed, etc., using only rosemary extract for preservation; Coca-Cola recently launched in the United Kingdom Brand new cola blended with rum and whiskey. The strong scent uses ginger, jalapeno, rosemary and jasmine as the main flavor ingredients.


Hop extract-flavoring agent

Hop extract is an indispensable raw material for brewing beer. In beer brewing, hops give the beer a refreshing aroma, slightly bitter taste and antiseptic properties, and form a white, fine and rich foam, and also play a role in clarifying the wort. In addition, hops also have excellent pharmacological effects. Studies have shown that the polyphenols in hops have obvious antioxidant effects; the chemical components such as lupulone and humulone in hops have inhibitory effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.

In addition to brewing beer, some juices, sodas, kombucha, and even snacks have also begun to add hops to form the flavor of beer. Recently, a company has launched a sleep aid drink, which contains natural herbal extracts such as lemon balm and hops. Hop extract can also be added to snacks. Beer flavored fried shrimp is a casual snack made from beer containing hop extract.


Onion extract-flavor agent preservative

Onion is an important flavor material, not only can provide a unique taste and smell, but also has the effect of stimulating appetite and helping digestion. At the same time, onion extract also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and can be used as a food preservative. Experiments have found that the phenolic compounds in onions can inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Listeria, etc., especially microorganisms related to food spoilage. Onions contain prostaglandin A and tolbutamide, which have a certain effect of lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, and can inhibit the increase in blood lipids caused by high-fat diets, and are used as functional food materials.

Black currant is a carbonated beverage with a black currant flavor. The main ingredients are black currant, galactooligosaccharides, onion skin extract powder, hyaluronic acid, etc.; Spirulina yogurt flavoring powder can be combined by consumers Different flavors of yogurt are mixed with plant ingredients such as spinach, onion extract, chia seeds, kale, and spirulina.


Guarana extract-anti-fatigue and energy supplement

Guarana is rich in amino acids, alkaloids, a variety of minerals, tannins, vitamins and carbohydrates, which are good for tissue absorption.

Guarana extract is a substance extracted from the seeds of guarana. The plant caffeine contained in it can gradually and slowly stimulate the nerves. The stimulus has a long effective period and is relatively mild. It is not harmful to the human body. Products from other sources are usually The effect is fast, but the duration is short. Therefore, in the energy drink industry in recent years, guarana extract has gradually replaced chemically synthesized caffeine.


Luo Han Guo Extract-Sweetener

Luo Han Guo extract is light yellow powder to brown extract. The taste is extremely sweet, its sweetness is more than 300 times that of sucrose, and the sweetness is close to that of sugar. Luo Han Guo, as the first batch of rare Chinese medicinal materials of the same food and medicine announced in my country, also has certain health functions such as auxiliary blood sugar lowering effect.

Luo Han Guo has many advantages as a sugar substitute. First, the fruit-derived Luo Han Guo extract can be prepared into mogroside, Luo Han Guo powder, Luo Han Guo concentrated juice, etc. and added to food and beverages. It can be directly marked as Luo Han Guo juice/powder on the label, so it meets the clean label; second, Luo Han Guo The extract is safe and healthy, and domestic and foreign laws and regulations do not currently limit its specific addition amount; in addition, Luo Han Guo extract has a good taste, has a unique sweet aftertaste, and has no after-bitterness. It can be used alone or combined with other sweeteners. To improve the taste; Luo Han Guo extract also has good water solubility, good pH and thermal stability, so it can be added to almost all food and beverages; Luo Han Guo extract does not cause blood sugar changes and dental caries, is an ideal Natural sugar substitutes can be widely used in nutrition and health products, baby food, puffed food, seasonings, etc.

Some functional beverage products add turmeric, black pepper fruit extract and sour cherry juice, and use coconut water and Luo Han Guo extract as sweeteners, and the products do not add sucrose.