Rosemary Extract is a natural botanical extract obtained from the leaves and flowering tops of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L., also known as Salvia rosmarinus. It is valued for its plant-based origin, characteristic antioxidant profile, natural aroma, and broad application potential in food antioxidant systems, dietary supplements, functional foods, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, animal nutrition, feed, and specialty formulations.
Rosemary leaves are reported to contain a wide range of natural compounds, including phenolic diterpenes, phenolic acids, flavonoids, volatile oils, triterpenes, and other plant-based constituents. Key characteristic components of Rosemary Extract include carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and rosemary essential oil constituents, depending on extraction method and specification. Rosemary extract used as food additive E 392 is typically standardized around antioxidant diterpenes such as carnosic acid and carnosol.
Key Product Information
| Attribute | Description |
| Product Name | Rosemary Extract |
| Botanical Source | Rosemary leaves and flowering tops |
| Botanical Name | Rosmarinus officinalis L. / Salvia rosmarinus |
| Common Active Markers | Carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid |
| INCI Name | ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, depending on grade and source declaration |
| CAS Number | 84604-14-8, commonly used for Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract |
| EC Number | 283-291-9, commonly used for Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract |
| Food Additive Number | E 392, for extracts of rosemary where permitted |
| Appearance | Brown-yellow, yellow-brown, green-brown, or brown fine powder; liquid or oil-soluble extract depending on specification |
| Main Components | Carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, polyphenols, diterpenes, flavonoids, volatile components |
| Main Function | Botanical antioxidant ingredient, natural extract, food antioxidant, cosmetic ingredient, flavor-support ingredient, specialty formulation ingredient |
| Typical Use Areas | Food antioxidant systems, dietary supplements, functional foods, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, feed, animal nutrition, oils, fats, meat products, bakery products, sauces, and specialty formulations |
The European Commission CosIng database lists rosemary leaf extract functions including antimicrobial, fragrance, and skin conditioning, and notes that CosIng ingredient entries are informational rather than automatic approval for every cosmetic use.
Key Features
| Feature | Benefit |
| Natural botanical origin | Suitable for plant-based, clean-label, and botanical product concepts |
| Rich in antioxidant compounds | Supports oxidation-control and antioxidant-positioned formulations |
| Standardizable active markers | Can be supplied based on carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, or extract ratio |
| Food antioxidant application potential | Useful in fat, oil, meat, snack, sauce, and lipid-containing systems where permitted |
| Cosmetic and personal care compatibility | Suitable for skincare, haircare, deodorizing, and botanical beauty formulas |
| Powder, liquid, and oil-soluble options | Flexible for capsules, tablets, beverages, oils, emulsions, creams, and food systems |
| Customizable specifications | Can be supplied according to active content, solvent system, carrier, particle size, grade, and customer requirements |
Typical Applications
Food Antioxidant Systems
Rosemary Extract is widely used in food systems where natural-origin antioxidant protection and oxidation control are desired. It is especially suitable for oils, fats, meat products, poultry products, fish products, snacks, sauces, seasonings, bakery products, dressings, nut products, and lipid-containing formulations. In the European Union, extracts of rosemary are recognized as food additive E 392 under defined conditions and food categories.
Dietary Supplements
Rosemary Extract is suitable for capsules, tablets, granules, drink powders, sachets, and botanical blends. It can be used in formulations positioned around plant polyphenols, botanical antioxidants, herbal wellness, cognitive wellness concepts, digestive wellness concepts, and natural plant-derived ingredients, subject to local supplement regulations and permitted claims.
Functional Food and Beverage
Rosemary Extract may be used in suitable food and beverage applications such as functional powders, wellness drinks, herbal beverages, nutrition blends, instant drink mixes, and natural antioxidant systems. Final suitability depends on extract type, solubility, flavor profile, active marker, dosage, processing conditions, and local food regulations.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Rosemary Extract is suitable for skincare, haircare, and personal care products such as creams, lotions, serums, toners, masks, shampoos, conditioners, scalp-care products, soaps, cleansers, deodorants, and botanical cosmetic formulations. In cosmetics, rosemary leaf extract is commonly associated with skin conditioning, fragrance, and antimicrobial functions, depending on the INCI entry and final formulation.
Oils, Fats, and Lipid-Based Formulations
Because rosemary extract contains antioxidant diterpenes such as carnosic acid and carnosol, it is especially useful in oil-rich and fat-containing systems where rancidity control, flavor stability, and shelf-life support are desired. It can be used in edible oils, frying oils, seasoning oils, fat blends, softgel oils, cosmetic oils, balms, and emulsion systems.
Animal Nutrition and Feed Applications
Rosemary Extract may be used in feed premixes, pet food, aquaculture feed, and animal nutrition formulations where plant-derived antioxidants, botanical extracts, or sensory-support ingredients are desired. Final use should follow local feed regulations, species-specific requirements, dosage rules, and customer formulation requirements.
Specialty Formulations and R&D
Rosemary Extract can be used in research, formulation development, botanical standardization, antioxidant testing, flavor systems, natural preservative-positioned systems, and specialty chemical applications requiring a plant-derived extract with characteristic phenolic diterpenes and polyphenols.
Formulation Benefits
Rosemary Extract provides a useful combination of natural origin, antioxidant activity, botanical appeal, and broad formulation compatibility. It is especially suitable for:
Food products requiring natural-origin antioxidant systems.
Oils, fats, snacks, sauces, and meat products requiring oxidation-control support.
Capsules and tablets containing botanical antioxidant blends.
Functional beverages and powders requiring plant extract ingredients.
Beauty-from-within formulas using botanical polyphenols.
Skincare and haircare products requiring plant-based conditioning ingredients.
Pet food, feed premixes, and animal nutrition products requiring botanical antioxidant support.
Clean-label product concepts where rosemary-origin ingredients add marketing value.
Regulatory Note
The permitted use of Rosemary Extract depends on the destination market, product grade, botanical source, extraction solvent, carrier, active content, intended application, dosage level, and final product claims. For food, supplement, cosmetic, feed, pharmaceutical, or industrial use, customers should confirm local regulatory status, approved use categories, maximum levels, labeling requirements, solvent limits, residue limits, safety data, and claim restrictions before commercialization.
Rosemary Extract may be regulated differently depending on whether it is supplied as a food antioxidant, flavoring ingredient, botanical extract, cosmetic ingredient, feed additive, supplement ingredient, or research material. In the EU, extracts of rosemary are associated with E 392 for specific food additive uses, while CosIng entries for cosmetic ingredients are informational and do not automatically authorize every cosmetic use.
Packaging and Storage
Store Rosemary Extract in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Keep the container tightly closed after opening. Protect from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, strong odors, and incompatible materials. Because botanical extracts and antioxidant compounds may be sensitive to light, oxygen, heat, and processing conditions, proper packaging and storage are recommended to help maintain active content, aroma, color, and product quality. Follow the product label, COA, and Safety Data Sheet during handling.
Suggested Short Listing Copy
Rosemary Extract is a natural botanical extract obtained from rosemary leaves and valued for its antioxidant diterpenes, polyphenols, and broad formulation potential. It is suitable for food antioxidant systems, dietary supplements, functional foods, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, feed, animal nutrition, and specialty formulations. With its natural origin, oxidation-control benefits, and flexible supply options, Rosemary Extract is an excellent ingredient for clean-label, wellness, beauty, food protection, and botanical product development.
Conclusion
Rosemary Extract is a versatile natural ingredient for manufacturers seeking a plant-based extract with strong antioxidant positioning, botanical appeal, and broad formulation flexibility. Its characteristic components, including carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid, make it suitable for food antioxidant systems, dietary supplements, functional foods, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, feed, and specialty applications. Overall, Rosemary Extract is a reliable choice for brands developing modern natural, clean-label, botanical, and oxidation-control formulations.
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