Pomegranate blend targets anti-inflammatory supplements
from the pomegranate fruit, which is said to provide a tailor-made
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory blend for supplement makers.
Introduced by Extracts & Ingredients, the new blend contains pomegranate seed oil, pomegranate seed extract and pomegranate juice powder. The company told NutraIngredients-USA.com that these are three of its existing ingredients, but that it has combined them in a powder to meet the specific demands of its customers. Pomegranate has been linked to a range of benefits, ranging from protection against prostate cancer, slowing cartilage loss in arthritis, and potentially preventing Alzheimer's. Pomegranate, known as the royal fruit because of the 'crown' on top, is a rich source of antioxidants. It is these antioxidants, and particularly ellagitannin compounds like punicalagins and punicalins, which accounts for about half of the fruit's antioxidant ability, that are reportedly behind the proposed health benefits. The new flowable powder blend is said to provide ellagitannins, punicic acid, flavonoids, catechins and anthocyanins. Formulation The new blend specifically targets supplement manufacturers. The powder is said to be dense enough for direct compression for tablets, but it can also be used in capsules. It contains 15 percent of pomegranate seed oil, 40 percent of the seed extract, and 45 percent of the juice powder. Pomegranate seed oil The firm said its cold-pressed seed oil ingredient is a blend of seed oils from selected pomegranate cultivars. According to the company, its cold-pressing process assures retention of high levels of phytoactive compounds. "Blending oils from different sources ensures an optimum balance of rare fatty acids in guaranteeing a pharmaceutical level of consistency from batch to batch," said Extracts & Ingredients. Pomegranate seed oil contains punicic acid, a form of trienoic fatty acid. Pomegranate seed extract Pomegranate extract contains alkaloids and polyphenols, and the active constituent ellagic acid. This is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in a number of fruits and nuts. Ellagic acid is not thought to be the most significant of the polyphenolchemicals responsible for pomegranate's anti-oxidant capacity. The company said its seed extract contains a minimum of 40 percent ellagic acid. Pomegranate juice powder Extracts & Ingredients said its micronized pomegranate juice powder lends a fruity pomegranate flavor to the blend, for chewable tablets. The company last year licensed a micronizing technology called 'Vortex' from Israeli firm Super Fine. This it to reduce the particle size of compounds down to three microns, it said. According to the firm, this allows it to produce "near-nano" phytosterols, which can be more easily incorporated into foods and drinks.
