08.18.22
PLT Health Solutions will begin offering elderberry extracts to the North American market, standardized to 6% and 10% anthocyanins. The company will supply these extracts in both standard and organic grades.
The company’s Spain-based partner Nektium Pharma has secured long-term supply agreements with black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) growers in Central Europe and will extract finished product at its facilities in the Canary Islands. There, per-batch quality assurance will be done through: fingerprint analysis for identification and quantification of anthocyanins; DNA sequential barcoding for authenticity; analysis for adulteration using the MALDI TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight) technique, and standardization of biomarkers. The elderberry extracts are available immediately, and the gluten- and additive-free powders have been non-GMO certified.
The new elderberry portfolio was developed as a solution to adulteration issues that occurred when demand for elderberry skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to Steve Fink, vice president of marketing for PLT Health Solutions.
“As often happens with plant-based materials when demand spikes rapidly, there was a shortage of elderberry materials and a proliferation of sub-standard and adulterated products entering the market. All of us have read headlines of inferior elderberry offerings in the media,” Fink said. “It has long been the mission of PLT Health Solutions to address industry pain points and to solve problems. With this line of traceable, standardized and lab-tested elderberry extracts, we believe PLT and Nektium have done that. Our organic offering adds additional value and can help our customers differentiate their products in the marketplace.”
Traditional Immune Support, Modern Quality
Elderberry has a long history of use for immune support, due to its high content of flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins impart the characteristic purple color of the berries, and much of the efficacy in terms of antioxidant activity, and have been studied for their role in modulating inflammation, metabolism, and immune function.
Elderberry modulates immune function by multiple mechanisms, the company reports, such as through the activation of phagocytes, supporting non-specific immune response, and promoting immune defense. The material supplied by PLT is based on the Haschberg cultivar of Sambucus nigra, which contains a high level of naturally-occurring anthocyanins.
PLT’s elderberry portfolio offers consumer companies product development and messaging opportunities, according to Dr. Jeremy Appleton, director of medical and scientific affairs at PLT.
“Elderberry and its constituent anthocyanins have been extensively researched. These new products are both more concentrated than many other elderberry ingredients on the market today and of higher quality, offering formulators the ability to create more effective products while building trust with consumers and delivering greater value,” he said.
The company’s Spain-based partner Nektium Pharma has secured long-term supply agreements with black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) growers in Central Europe and will extract finished product at its facilities in the Canary Islands. There, per-batch quality assurance will be done through: fingerprint analysis for identification and quantification of anthocyanins; DNA sequential barcoding for authenticity; analysis for adulteration using the MALDI TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight) technique, and standardization of biomarkers. The elderberry extracts are available immediately, and the gluten- and additive-free powders have been non-GMO certified.
The new elderberry portfolio was developed as a solution to adulteration issues that occurred when demand for elderberry skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to Steve Fink, vice president of marketing for PLT Health Solutions.
“As often happens with plant-based materials when demand spikes rapidly, there was a shortage of elderberry materials and a proliferation of sub-standard and adulterated products entering the market. All of us have read headlines of inferior elderberry offerings in the media,” Fink said. “It has long been the mission of PLT Health Solutions to address industry pain points and to solve problems. With this line of traceable, standardized and lab-tested elderberry extracts, we believe PLT and Nektium have done that. Our organic offering adds additional value and can help our customers differentiate their products in the marketplace.”
Traditional Immune Support, Modern Quality
Elderberry has a long history of use for immune support, due to its high content of flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins impart the characteristic purple color of the berries, and much of the efficacy in terms of antioxidant activity, and have been studied for their role in modulating inflammation, metabolism, and immune function.
Elderberry modulates immune function by multiple mechanisms, the company reports, such as through the activation of phagocytes, supporting non-specific immune response, and promoting immune defense. The material supplied by PLT is based on the Haschberg cultivar of Sambucus nigra, which contains a high level of naturally-occurring anthocyanins.
PLT’s elderberry portfolio offers consumer companies product development and messaging opportunities, according to Dr. Jeremy Appleton, director of medical and scientific affairs at PLT.
“Elderberry and its constituent anthocyanins have been extensively researched. These new products are both more concentrated than many other elderberry ingredients on the market today and of higher quality, offering formulators the ability to create more effective products while building trust with consumers and delivering greater value,” he said.
