Kemin delivers scientifically sound, innovative plant extracts for the food industry. Supply chain assurance enables the company to provide ingredients that protect visual appeal and quality of foods.
Kemin is one of the most vertically integrated suppliers of plant extracts. Its basic and controlled crop production allows control of the entire process from plant to final extract, which provides assurance of safe, consistent and sustainable products.
Fortra is a water-soluble plant extract derived from a proprietary variety of Mentha spicata L. It contains rosmarinic acid – a molecule which in literature has shown to be effective in delaying lipid oxidation, colour loss, and deterioration of other sensitive molecules present in beverages, flavourings, emulsions, and other highly aqueous foods.
‘In today’s environment, consumer perceptions and trends are moving toward natural ingredients,’ says Kelly De Vadder, marketing manager of the food division in EMEA. Kemin recognised this trend several years ago and established the Specialty Crop Improvement team. This team of scientists focuses on developing sustainable, renewable and practical plant sources with useful molecules that can be extracted and used to manufacture ingredients with active or functional benefits.
‘Recently, Kemin developed FORTRA, a spearmint extract derived from a proprietary variety of Mentha spicata L,’ comments Stefaan Van Dyck, president of the EMEA food business. The plant-derived extract has both flavouring and antioxidant properties. It contains rosmarinic acid, a molecule which has shown to be especially effective in delaying lipid oxidation, colour loss, and deterioration of other sensitive molecules. Combined with Kemin’s patented manufacturing process, the active compounds in the extract are heat-stable and can survive high temperature and high pressure processing. Kemin scientists have found that spearmint contains more rosmarinic acid than plant sources such as sage, oregano, or rosemary.
Kemin’s natural plant-based extracts platform can conserve the appearance, taste and quality of food products without impacting their flavour, colour and odour profiles. With natural plant extracts customers benefit from proprietary flavour extracts developed with effective antioxidant properties for delaying oxidation and increasing shelf life.
The food technologies division develops, manufactures and markets shelf-life and food safety solutions for the food industry. Delivering scientifically sound, innovative products through local services and supply chain control enables them to provide ingredients that protect and maintain the nutrient qualities and visual appeal of food products.
Dr. Stefaan Van Dyck will present Kemin’s vertically integrated, sustainable spearmint extract at the Food Ingredients Europe tradeshow in Paris on 2 December at 3pm in hall 7.
