Naturex standardises cranberry extracts
Naturex-DBS moves beyond PACs by standardising cranberry extracts to biological activity with supporting human clinical studies
Naturex-DBS has set a new bar in the cranberry market by launching a line of powdered extracts standardised to a level of bacterial anti-adhesion activity (AAA), which is the biological function commonly associated with supporting urinary tract health.
North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been shown to provide AAA against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which is responsible for more than 75% of urinary tract infections (UTIs). E. coli adhesion to uroepithelial cell walls is widely recognised as the first step in a UTI formation. Additionally, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has recently confirmed the relevance of AAA in a published opinion, stating: 'The Panel considers that reduction of bacterial colonisation of the urinary tract by inhibition of the adhesion of P-fimbriated E. coli to uroepithelial cells is a beneficial physiological effect.'
Naturex offers three unique powdered extracts standardised to biological activity that are made exclusively with Vaccinium macrocarpon cranberries. The biological effect of the products have been demonstrated in double-blind, placebo-controlled human crossover studies and is guaranteed on a batch-to-batch basis.
'We’ve progressed from a legacy standardisation-based marker, proanthocyanidins (PACs), to a much more relevant and biologically efficacious-based marker, E. coli anti-adhesion activity. PAC methods continue to fall in and out of favour and standardising a product to PACs fails to answer the underlying question — does the product support urinary tract health?' said Dan Souza, vice president of sales and marketing for Naturex-DBS.
'Standardization to an efficacy-based marker eliminates the confusion associated with the PAC analytical methods and reduces the risk of adulteration. These extracts are a game changer. By moving beyond a single phytochemical compound to biologically relevant activity in support of urinary tract health our extracts set a new standard in the industry.'
The portfolio is supported by six US and three international patents. Each product is sourced from unique raw materials which deliver the key biological mode-of-action responsible for AAA. Manufactured using a proprietary extraction process, these water soluble extracts offer application and dosing flexibility with proven potency.
