[Latin Name]  Pinus pinaster.

[Specification] OPC ≥ 95%

[Appearance] Red brown fine powder

Plant Part Used: Bark

[Particle size] 80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Pine bark?]

Pine bark, botanical name Pinus pinaster, is a maritime pine native to southwest France that also grows in countries along the western Mediterranean.  Pine bark contains a number of beneficial compounds that are extracted from the bark in a way that doesn’t destroy or damage the tree.

[How does it work?]

What gives pine bark extract its notoriety as a powerful ingredient and super antioxidant is that it’s loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds, OPCs for short. The same ingredient can be found in grape seeds, the skin of peanuts and witch hazel bark. But what makes this miracle ingredient so amazing?

While OPCs found in this extract are mostly known for their antioxidant-producing benefits, these amazing compounds exude antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Pine bark extract can help reduce muscle soreness and may help improve conditions relating to poor circulation, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, ADHD, female reproductive issues, skin, erectile dysfunction, eye disease and sports stamina.

Seems like it must be pretty amazing, but let’s look closer. The list goes on a bit further, as the OPCs in this extract may “inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems,” which basically means it may be a natural treatment for many serious health conditions, such as stroke and heart disease.

[Function]

1. Lowers Glucose Levels, Improving Diabetic Symptoms
2. Helps Prevent Hearing Loss and Balance
3. Staves Off Infections
4. Protects the Skin from Ultraviolet Exposure
5. Decreases Erectile Dysfunction
6. Reduces Inflammation
7.  Helps Increase Athletic Performance

#SciChallenge2017 Watch our short video about pomegrante and how does it affect ageing.

Authors: Sara Jamnik & Helena Perić;

Supervisors:
Alenka Mozer, Gimnazija Vic;
Mihaela Skrt, PhD, Biotechnical Faculty of University of Ljubljana;
Prof. Natasa Poklar Ulrih, PhD., Biotechnical Faculty of University of Ljubljana

The beneficial effects of pomegranate have been known for centuries and the fruit itself has been a symbol of health and prosperity across many cultures. Pomegranate has reportedly been used medicinally to help prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. It also has anti-microbial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, improves skin health and oral health. In addition it also helps people age slower. That is because pomegranate (like many other fruits) contains antioxidants, which prevent free radicals in our body to engage in oxidation process that damages our cells. Our goal was to prepare a food supplement from pomegranate juice extract. We focused on successful encapsulation of antioxidants found in pomegranate juice to prevent them from decomposing. We used two methods: lyophilization and micro-encapsulation. We micro-capsulated this dry extract with inulin into a polysaccharide shell in order to achieve long term stability. From all the different polysaccharides, inulin was chosen because of its prebiotic properties, so our food supplement would have additional positive health effects. Results of our research suggest that the size of micro-capsules has an influence on the velocity and quantity of released anthocyanins and antioxidants. Furthermore, we discovered that the concentration of pomegranate juice has a limited impact on the elimination of anthocyanins and antioxidants. In other words, even though the concentration is higher, it does not mean that the amount of anthocyanins and antioxidants in micro-capsules will also be higher.

Even though we still need to determine a repeatable method with the optimal conditions which would enable the highest possible efficiency of the process, we managed to successefully prepare microcapsules.