The company based in Antrain, France, is a raw materials manufacturer with a food-grade facility focused on all natural, non-GMO products.
Its new Phytonutriance range of certified organic extracts, which come in powder form, include acerola, artichoke, black currant, blueberry, cranberry, orange carrot and purple carrot.
The line is intended for applications in dietary supplements, functional foods and nutritional beverages.
Nathalie Richer, marketing manager for Diana Naturals, told FoodNavigator.com that no clinical trials or scientific studies were carried out for this range. However, the properties of the extracts have been linked to certain health benefits.
For example, Richer said that acerola, which contains vitamin C, is associated with vitality and energy, while artichoke contains cynarin, which is associated with weight management.
Recent research has shown that artichoke leaf extract (ALE) can reduce cholesterol levels in healthy adults and the key components of ALE include cynarin.
Similarly purple carrot has anthocyanins, also found in blueberry, which is said to be an antioxidant.
Antioxidants are known to attack free radicals that can cause inflammation and lead to heart and circulation problems as well as being linked to some cancers. Anthocyanins have also been shown to have eye health and diabetes benefits.
The products are geared towards the European and North American markets, as well as Asia.
Richer said: “We have seen more and more demand (for organic products) for a year now, especially in Europe and North America.
“We will continue to extend the existing range we have.”
Diana Natural serves four main markets; health and cosmetics, baby food, beverage and savoury. But in terms of increasing its organic range, the company anticipates that the beverage sector will hold the most potential with possibly less demand in the savoury sector.
Richer said that although some of the extracts have other attributes, such as colouring for example, they already have organic ranges for colour, texture and flavour so these are specifically for the health sector.
The range
The Phytonutriance products, which the company will exhibit at May’s Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva, are made of food grade materials standardized to naturally occurring actives, and fully water-dispersible.
Acerola is standardized to 17 per cent vitamin C, artichoke is standardized to 2.5 per cent total polyphenols, black currant to two per cent total polyphenols and blueberry to 2.5 per cent total polyphenols and 0.5% anthocyanins.
Cranberry is standardized to one per cent proanthocyanidins, orange carrot, to 100 ppm total carotenoids and purple carrot to two per cent total polyphenols and 0.5 per cent anthocyanins
Diana Naturals has five manufacturing facilities in France, sales offices in New York, Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai and additional manufacturing in Chile.