Cupuaçu seeds from the Amazon
Cupuaçu seed, an antioxidant-rich member of the chocolate family, looks and tastes like chocolate but is cheaper and more heat resistant. Located in Para, the heart of the açai harvesting region, EarthFruits USA works in partnership with processors throughout the territory to harvest, process and export açai, camu camu, Amazon soursop and acelora as well. Cupuaçu is available as a powder and a frozen purée.
www.earthfruits.com

Brown-algae extract for heart health
Diana Naturals' new plant extract targets atherosclerosis prevention. Phytonutriance HealSea comes from Focus vesiculosus, a brown algae rich in phytotannins, shown to significantly increase the production of aortic nitric oxide, and reduce the susceptibility of VLDL and LDL cholesterol-rich lipoproteins to oxidation ex vivo, the French company reports. The ingredient, standardised to 11 per cent polyphenol phloroglucinol equivalent, can be used in tablets or capsules.
+1 845 268 5200
www.diana-naturals.com

Flavours based on botanicals
Mastertaste, a division of Kerry Group, has created a range of active natural flavours based on the best-known beneficial botanical extracts, such as black and green tea, rooibos, chamomile and citrus. In order to guarantee quality reproduction, Mastertaste experts submit both pure extracts and end applications to a thorough quality-control test, which includes both analytical and sensorial evaluation, throughout their shelf life, the company says.
+39 035 468 511
www.mastertaste.com

Multi-fruit anthocyanin blend
FutureCeuticals has developed a high-anthocyanin nutritional blend it calls AnthoComplete, a distinctive alternative to single-source anthocyanin products, the company says. Included are anthocyanins from wild-bilberry extract, wild-blueberry extract, açai, blackcurrant extract, sweet cherry, raspberry, elderberry, blackberry, black soybean-hull extract and blue-corn extract.
www.vandrunenfarms.com
[email protected]

Probiotics formulation
Institut Rosell-Lallemand, the Canadian specialist in probiotic formulations, now offers a highly concentrated Saccharomyces boulardii Lactobacillus Rosell-52, Lactobacillus Rosell-11 and Bifidobacterium Rosell-175 probiotic. Called Protecflor, it provides intestinal support for both traveler's and acute diarrhoea, the company says.
www.lallemand.com

Brown seaweed carotenoid for weight loss
Bellalean, a fucoxanthin ingredient intended for the weight-loss market, is now being distributed by AHD International, based in Atlanta, Georgia. The ingredient is 500 times more potent than wakame, a popular Japanese alternative, the company says. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid element of brown seaweed.
+1 404 233 4022
www.ahdintl.com

Prickly-pear extract
The new OpunDia line is a proprietary extract of the pads and fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear cactus) for use in dietary supplements, foods and beverages, to support healthy blood-glucose levels. Brought to market by Martin Bauer North America, OpunDia extract has been shown in several in vivo animal studies to reduce blood-glucose levels by as much as 20 per cent. Also available is a fresh-fruit purée made from the pears of the Opuntia ficus-indica, which offers an antioxidant-rich way to deliver the ingredient in foods and beverages.
www.mbnorthamerica.com