From seed to herbal product: A complex journey

THE PROCESS from seed to finished herbal product includes many variables. When it comes to proof of quality, traceability, sustainability and sound science are key, according to Spain-based botanical ingre­dients supplier, Euromed.

With many consumers looking to follow a more sustainable diet, supply chain traceability with minimal environmental impact is a trend that is continuing to gain momentum. Attention is increasingly on a product’s entire supply chain: where it’s from, who made it and how it was made. Seeking reassurances on health and safety, today’s consumers expect verifiable promises that their product was sourced and produced responsibly using traceable ingredients that adhere to purity, safety and other standards. Knowing the provenance of the raw materials that go into a food supplement or herbal product therefore allows manufacturers to claim the origin on their label and ensure complete transparency.

(Photo courtesy: Euromed)

Working with Mother Nature

Having a full traceability system and standardized procedures from seed to final extract (vertical integration) reduces the variability involved in working with nature, which can be highly unpredictable. In fact, the journey a particular herb makes from seed to finished product includes a number of variables. That’s because environmental factors relating to origin, growth, collection, harvest and storage conditions can all impact the final extract’s quality. Then there are further issues surrounding the use of pesticides and other chemicals on soil and plants. Another important factor is the method of extraction. This can influence how much of a particular active constituent is present in the final product. Some phytochemicals are more soluble in water, while others are soluble in alcohol or oil. In general, concentrating the target molecules while preserving the complete phytochemical profile as it exists in the plant matrix, is regarded as a safe, natural and effective approach.

For each botanical extract, the manufacturing equipment, botanical raw material, solvent used and inert substances for standardization should be qualified, and laboratory test parameters validated at check points throughout the production process. This ensures consistency of different batches and harmonised health properties.

Verified safety and efficacy

When an extract is standardized for specific compounds, it is important to scientifically verify its properties, ideally with clinical studies. Considering chemical complexity of plants and the external variables, assessing both safety and efficacy of different extracts even from the same plant is vital when evaluating botanical products.

For instance, a study published by the Sports Physiology Department at the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia in Spain, revealed significant improvement in muscle strength and fitness in subjects aged 50-plus who combined moderately intense strength training with a 12-week daily supplementation of natural Spinacia oleracea L. extract.^[i] These results are specific to Euromed’s Spisar^® and cannot necessarily be applied to other spinach extracts. Spisar® is obtained from the nutrient-rich leaves of spinach cultivated in Southern Spain and gently processed with an eco-friendly, proprietary extraction technology using only purified water as a solvent.

Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communication & Medical Affairs at Euromed, says: “In recent years, we have shifted our new product development focus from global to local, deep diving into lo­cally sourced Mediterranean extracts and the healthy ageing benefits they can provide. They are ob­tained from edible botanicals, so this may reduce regulatory complexity. We can make reference to the Mediterranean diet because the extracts are from foods that play a strong role in the diet, such as olives, artichokes, pomegran­ates and figs, and their properties are evidence-based. In addition, local sourcing allows for a shorter and better controlled supply chain.”

Value of quality

Full traceability is also a key tool of the industry to prevent adulteration and guarantee quality. As demand for botanical ingredients increases year on year, so, too, do the risks of overharvesting. High demand may also persuade dishonest ingredient suppliers to use cheap botanical materials as substitutes for expensive or difficult to grow species. The use of adulterated botanical extracts not only presents a significant challenge to the industry but also, more importantly, puts the health of consumers at risk. For instance, the prevalence of adulterated pomegranate extracts, which do not contain the natural profile of polyphenols found in pomegranate, are a real concern for the industry. Many of them contain high levels of ellagic acid, a polyphenol with poor bioavailability. These products do not have the characteristic chemical profile and health benefits of whole pomegranate, and may include other botanical sources. Therefore, proper testing, strict quality protocols and a vertically integrated supply chain are important. Each step – starting with the raw materials – should be traceable, accountable and transparent.

Sustainability at each step

Alongside traceability, Euromed has integrated sustainability into every facet of its operations – from raw material sourcing to processing and packaging, and extensive quality certifications. For instance, the company makes sure that even wildcrafted herbs such as saw palmetto berry and black cohosh root are sustainably harvested to preserve the viability of the species for future generations. Working directly with local communities to establish a trusted and transparent relationship with them is also part of Euromed’s sustainability efforts. This guarantees maximum benefits for the growers. Regular audits verify that everything is done with great care for local communities and in line with stringent regulations throughout each step of the supply chain. Andrea Zangara explains: “Consumers are taking responsibility for their own carbon impact and looking to eat more sustainably, both for their own health and that of the planet. The focus is on all aspects of sustainability, including personal, social, environmental and economic.”

Moreover, by-products from the production of milk thistle now go to produce biogas and animal feed and, working in collaboration with Archroma®, waste materials from saw palmetto extraction are upcycled into traceable and patented natural-based dyes. This ensures a sustainable production process, generates value in other sectors and promotes a circular economy.

[i] Pérez-Piñero, S.et.al: A 12-Week Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Evaluating the Effect of Supplementation with a Spinach Extract on Skeletal Muscle Fitness in Adults Older Than 50 Years of Age. Nutrients 2021, 13, 4373.