November 4, 2015
Flavonoids used in Dr. Eckel products possess high storage stability-- study
Flavonoids used in phytogenic products manufactured by Dr. Eckel GmbHhave proven to be stable even when stored for an extended period. Flavonoids are plant pigments used in modern animal feed because of their proven positive effects on animal welfare and performance.
The German additives maker said its health-product line uses highly effective and unique plant compounds. "The raw materials undergo an extremely careful selection process because the quality of the value-adding ingredients is crucial to the longtime effectiveness of the products".
It explained that the differences in quality among the phytogenic (plant-derived) products available on the market are immense, adding that the decisive factor in the selection of raw materials is the certainty that the greatest care was taken during harvesting or pre-processing.
"Flavonoids that come from sources of inferior quality do not always live up to their promises. After being stored for several months or after being processed in a feed mill, their effectiveness can often no longer be guaranteed to be stable. The user is disappointed because the plant-based active substances do not achieve the desired effect", it said.
Dr. Eckel has conducted a comprehensive long-term study, which found impressive evidence of the storage stability of the secondary plant compounds based on flavonoids in hops and green tea. Dr. Eckel claimed that these specifically selected raw materials, along with other components, are key components in its Anta®Phyt and Anta®Ox products. To guarantee reliable effectiveness and product quality, extensive studies were carried out to investigate and rule out possible negative factors that affect their stability, it added.
Stability of flavonoids in hops, green tea extract
Research focused on the effects of storage time, light and packaging type on the stability of flavonoids in hops and green tea extract. To do this, relevant product samples were stored in different ways. The samples were stored in differently sealed bags under varied lighting conditions. The respective samples were analysed at intervals of three months for a total period of 13 months.
During storage of hop-based products an increase in the value-adding flavonoid content was detected. According to the Dr. Eckel researchers, this increase in the flavonoid level compared with the initial reading was due to the fact that some of the flavonoids were present in bound form. Only after a certain period of storage were they released and measured. "The results are much higher than the values guaranteed in the product specification and therefore ensure an extremely high level of effectiveness", the researchers stated.
The flavonoids in the selected green tea extract used by Dr. Eckel researchers demonstrated only a slight decrease during the observation period of 13 months. "In all trials and during the whole storage period, active ingredients were determined that are above the values guaranteed by Dr. Eckel GmbH".
"In summary, the product quality of the raw materials used in the health product line of Dr. Eckel is outstanding even after a 13-month storage period with exposure to light and in different types of packaging", the researchers said.
The studies that produced the results presented were funded by the German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) as part of the programme to promote innovation. --Rick Alberto