Iprona unveils cognition-boosting black currant extract with “unexplained” benefits

14 Apr 2021 --- Italy-based fruit processing specialist Iprona is introducing a blackcurrant extract touted for its ability to boost brain health. The extract, branded CurrantCraft, is a product of the company’s proprietary extraction technique and is suitable as an additive in a range of foods and supplements.

Iprona has spent over a decade developing and refining the Iprona Polyphenol Technology (IPT) extraction process through which it can produce a consistent and standardized black currant extract.

Stephan Breitenberger , Iprona’s CEO, tells NutritionInsight that the cognitive benefits of Currant Craft are still largely unexplained. 

“The precise molecular processes responsible for the effects of black currant supplementation seen in the human clinical trials are not known at this stage.” 

“There is a growing evidence suggesting anthocyanins from the fruit are improving the microcirculation in blood vessels and that this effect might lead to the improved cognitive performance seen in clinical trials,” he says. 

More research is needed in this area, asserts Breitenberger, for which Iprona is working with leading universities to gain further insights into the precise mode of action.

The two stream enrichment extraction process created by IPT.Blackdown currants
CurrantCraft is produced with a special variety of black currant, called Blackdown (Ribes nigrum). Iprona works with a cooperative of French farmers in the Loire Valley, where the soil is ideal for growing nutrient-rich black currants.

Innova Market Insights crowned “Transparency Triumphs” as its number one trend for 2021, noting that six in ten global consumers are interested in learning more about where foods come from.

CurrantCraft is standardized to a guaranteed level of 11 percent anthocyanins and 15 percent polyphenols. 

“Producers of finished products can use it to develop innovative products positioned for cognitive performance space as well as in the sports performance area,” continues Breitenberger.

The standardization allows for a defined anthocyanin and polyphenol content in the final product. The product can be formulated into tablets, capsules, gummies, lozenges, shots or syrup and effervescent tablets.

Last year, research from a meta-analysis in a sports nutrition journal revealed the polyphenols in blackcurrant powder from 2before are a “breakthrough” natural sports performance enhancer. 

IPT extraction 
The launch of CurrantCraft adds to Iprona’s portfolio of berry extracts, including ElderCraft and CherryCraft. 

The IPT extraction process is a mechanical, solvent-free separation and enrichment ultra-filtration process. 

“This process utilizes specially designed membranes with different pore sizes to separate pressed fruit juice into two streams based on the sizes of the molecules,” explains Breitenberger.

“Larger molecules including polyphenols and anthocyanins are concentrated in one direction, smaller molecules such as sugars and mineral salts in another. This methodology allows for enrichment without resorting to using solvents.” 

The entire fruit matrix of the berry is retained in the extract, resulting in an authentic, high-quality product, he says. 

By Louis Gore-Langton