Decas launches full line of organic berry powders
whole berry powders for the nutraceutical, functional food and
cosmeceutical applications.
The branded BerryOrganics line includes powders derived from cranberry, raspberry, blackberry and bilberry. DBS already has a well-developed line of organic cranberry-based products designed to deliver antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to support urinary tract, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular health among other things. The new line draws on growing consumer awareness as to the properties of berries, as well as the growing popularity of organic products. "We've experienced firsthand the growth in organics through our cranberry product line and look forward to bringing our experience into the broader berry marketplace," said Decas Botanical Synergies CEO Doug Klaiber. The potential health benefits of berries, linked to the antioxidant polyphenol content including anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, ellagitannins, galltannins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids, has filtered through to the consumers and resulted in an increase in demand. The organic market is growing in the US and Europe, which hold 80 percent of the global market, as health and wellness oriented consumers increasing look to shop along ethic or environmental lines. According to a new report from Global Industry Analysts, organic product sales in the US are predicted to reach over $43bn by 2010. According to DBS, a division of Decas Cranberry Products, BerryOrganics powders meet both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program and the European Union's organic labeling requirements. Organic ingredients allow manufacturers the versatility of using them in healthy products geared towards a number of markets. DBS says its berry powders are suitable for both food and beverage applications. However, the antioxidant potential of berries may not live up to all the hype, according to a recent USDA study. Nutritionists from the Agricultural Research Service assessed the antioxidant capacity (AOC), measured as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), derived from fruit. Among the findings was that a significant amount of blueberries - a half-cup serving - was needed to elevate AOC levels. "We have demonstrated that consumption of certain berries and fruits such as blueberries, mixed grape and kiwifruit, was associated with increased plasma AOC in the postprandial state and consumption of an energy source of macronutrients containing no antioxidants was associated with a decline in plasma AOC," concluded the authors. "However, without further long term clinical studies, one cannot necessarily translate increases in plasma AOC into a potential decreased risk of chronic degenerative disease." Source: Prior, Ronald L. et al. "Plasma antioxidant capacity changes following a meal as a measure of the ability of a food to alter in vivo antioxidant status." Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Vol. 26, No. 2, 170-181 (2007).
