PLT expands to North America market with elderberry extracts

16 Aug 2022 --- US-based PLT Health Solutions is set to supply organic elderberry extract to the North American market, citing skyrocketing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The elderberry extracts are non-GMO-certified, gluten- and additive-free powders.

“As often happens with plant-based materials when demand spikes rapidly, there was a shortage of elderberry materials and a proliferation of sub-standard and adulterated products entering the market. All of us have read headlines of inferior elderberry offerings in the media,” says Steve Fink, vice president of marketing for PLT Health Solutions.

Supply chain issues spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic have left companies scrambling to obtain necessary ingredients for their products with industry rushing to find solutions and paying higher prices for items.

Global partnerships
The company says its new elderberry extract portfolio offers consumer companies product development and messaging opportunities. 

Quality for the ingredients is assured by a per-batch testing program, including fingerprint analysis for identification and quantification of anthocyanins, DNA sequential barcoding for authenticity, analysis for adulteration using the MALDI TOF technique and standardization of biomarkers. 

The PLT elderberry portfolio will include extracts standardized to 6% and 10% anthocyanins, offered in both standard and organic grades. The company’s Spain-based innovation partner Nektium Pharma has secured long-term supply agreements with black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) growers in Central Europe and will extract finished products at its state-of-the-art facilities in the Canary Islands.

Elderberry is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may help boost the body’s immune system.Targeting immunity
Black elderberry has a long tradition of use for immune support, the company notes. The berries are high in flavonoids, such as quercetin, rutin and anthocyanins. 

Anthocyanins leave the characteristic purple color to the berries, as well as bio-efficacy in terms of antioxidant activity, balancing inflammation metabolism and supporting immune function.

“Elderberry and its constituent anthocyanins have been extensively researched. These products are both more concentrated than many other elderberry ingredients on the market today and of higher quality, offering formulators the ability to create more effective products,” explains Dr. Jeremy Appleton, director of medical and scientific affairs for PLT.

Elderberry modulates immune function by multiple mechanisms, including activation of phagocytes, supporting non-specific immune response and promoting immune defense. The material supplied by PLT is based on the Haschberg cultivar of Sambucus nigra, which contains a high level of naturally-occurring anthocyanins.

Interest in immunity was spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led consumers to eye ingredients for their health. Companies have been eyeing the potential for elderberry supplements. 

Moreover, Cymbiotika launched an immune-supporting vegan elderberry supplement, while Finnish-based Eevia Health Oly saw increasing demand for its elderberry extract during COVID-19. 

By Andria Kades