Food

Plants are an abundant source of bioactive compounds that help to improve and enhance the quality of different types of food products. Bioactive compounds from plants have been used in the food industry in the form of extracts. Plant extracts from different sources have a variety of applications in the food industry, where they are used as antioxidants, antimicrobials, flavoring agents, coloring agents, packaging aids, etc. They can replace the use of synthetic additives to produce healthier and more nutritious foods. They can also improve the competitiveness of food products in the marketplace and add value to the product. Alfa Chemistry is dedicated to the research, development and production of plant extracts and offers a wide range of plant extracts for use in food products.

Applications of Plant Extracts in Food Industry

Plant extracts have a variety of applications in the food industry, including but not limited to the following.

• As antioxidants

Antioxidant active ingredients in plant extracts are able to replace synthetic antioxidants and improve the oxidative stability of food products. They maintain the overall quality of food products by resisting lipid peroxidation and inhibiting enzymatic browning. Antioxidants from plant extracts used in food products include tea polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanidins, isoflavonoids, etc.

• As antimicrobials

Certain plant extracts can inhibit microbial growth in food and extend the shelf life via pathways such as interfering with nucleic acid synthesis and disrupting cell membranes. These plant extract antimicrobial active ingredients include carvacrol, geranialdehyde, limonene, eucalyptol, etc.

• As flavorings

Plant extracts are often rich in characteristic ingredients that can effectively stimulate the senses. For example, steviol glycosides and mogroside extracted from plants are popular new sweeteners, which not only have an outstanding sweetness, but are also ideal substitutes for sucrose and have significant health effects. In addition, plant extracts are rich carriers of aromatic and phenolic compounds that impart specific flavors to foods.

• As colorants

Color is a key constituent in enhancing the final appetizing value and consumer acceptance of a food product. Some plant extracts are rich in pigments and can be used in place of synthetic colors to impart different colors to foods. Examples include curcumin, safflower yellow, radish red, beet red, sorghum red, and chili red.

• As packaging aids

Cellulose, starch, alginate, chitosan, etc. in plant extracts can be used in the manufacture of biodegradable food packaging. In addition, active ingredients in plant extracts, such as tannins, carvacrols, catechins, etc., incorporated into polymers to form film and coated packaging materials often improve physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and are used in multifunctional food packaging.

Our Capabilities

We mainly offer the following plant extracts for the food industry:

Antioxidants

• Rosemary extract
• Tea extract
• Blueberry extract

Antibacterials

• Thyme extract
• Peppermint extract
• Eucalyptus extract

Flavorings

• Cinnamon extract
• Hops extract
• Stevia extract

Colorants

• Beet extract
• Tomato extract
• Chili pepper extract

Packaging aids

• Cotton extract
• Potato extract
• Tea extract

And more…

With complete production facilities and experienced production team, Alfa Chemistry is dedicated to the research, development and production of plant extracts. We have a strict quality management system to ensure the authenticity of the raw materials and the consistency of the quality of the plant extracts.

In addition, we know the food industry very well and closely follow the development trends of plant extracts in the industry. With our technical and commercial background, as well as our extensive knowledge of plant extract ingredients and their functions, we are able to provide support services for the development of food products based on plant extracts.

Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.