Rosemary extract delivers versatility and consumer appeal [Interview]

Consumers today are looking for clean label, low-fat, low-sugar products that do not compromise on taste. They also want natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced and are increasingly aware of issues surrounding food waste. On top of this, convenience and affordability remain key criteria for most consumers, especially in today’s challenging economic situation.

“These trends present a challenge for food and beverage industrial players,” notes Syensqo market development manager Vanessa Gambin. “A balance needs to be found between natural solutions and performance in final applications. At the same time though, meeting these demands presents an opportunity for brands to reformulate, differentiate and innovate.”

Growing potential of natural preservatives

Finding a reliable supplier with the necessary expertise is critical to helping brands capitalise on these opportunities. Syensqo, previously part of Solvay Group, is dedicated to fulfilling this role.

“We have been a global leader in vanillin and ethyl vanillin for more than a century,” explains Gambin. “As part of our mission to deliver more natural solutions, we are adapting our food and beverage flavour portfolio towards more natural ingredients, such as natural vanillin from a rice bran oil by-product.”

The company is also expanding into the growing segment of natural preservatives, with wild rosemary-based flavours and antioxidants. This market segment will be a key focal point of Syensqo’s session at this year’s Fi Europe.

“At the conference, we will be exploring the antioxidant capabilities of rosemary, with a special emphasis on its application in oils,” explains Zakari Abbas, technical director for Syensqo.

“The outbreak of the war in Ukraine created an oil shortage, which was particularly felt by the food sector. Some 80% of oils with a high oleic acid content are used by this industry.”

Faced with supply chain disruptions, Syensqo has sought to provide manufacturers with the best possible natural antioxidant solution to give oils without a high oleic acid content the same stability performance as oils with a high oleic acid content.

Key benefits as an antioxidant

At Fi Europe, Syensqo will therefore outline the key advantages that rosemary offers, not merely as a flavour but as an antioxidant.

“Antioxidants are crucial to preserving food from oxidation, rancidity, and colour loss across a variety of food and beverages applications,” says Gambin. “As an antioxidant, rosemary also helps to preserve omega-3 fatty acids – such as DHA – for longer, in addition to stabilising flavour and colour properties, and maintaining product quality and shelf life.”

Replacing synthetic antioxidants, however, is not easy. “It is essential to identify the right partner that can bring its technical expertise but also a reliable natural supply,” says Abbas. “Natural antioxidants have some specificities that need to be managed carefully for quality consistency. Syensqo’s expertise enables us to supply the right rosemary extract solution for each specific application.”

Syensqo’s Riza range has been specially formulated to help food manufacturers standardise active levels of antioxidants and customise the organoleptic expectations. “These natural antioxidants in liquid or powder form can support formulators around numerous functional challenges,” says Gambin.

Applicability and versatility of rosemary extract

The applicability and versatility of rosemary extract will also be on display at Fi Europe. Syensqo will be presenting rosemary’s functional benefits in different applications like meat

“The meat industry is already a big user of rosemary antioxidants,” says Abbas. “Meat consumers are clear - they want clean and clear labels, as well as quality products in terms of taste. This is why oxidation monitoring is so important for the meat industry.”

Gambin notes that other food categories are also moving quickly towards natural food preservation. More and more applications are relying on functional rosemary-based flavours and antioxidants. “As a key player in food preservation, we also see benefits of using natural rosemary solutions in combination with other antioxidants, to achieve unique application performance,” she adds.

Ethically sourced wild rosemary

Overall, Syensqo aims to share its knowledge and passion for wild natural rosemary antioxidants with Fi Europe attendees.

“There are lots of opportunities that food and beverage players can unlock thanks to our reliable rosemary source from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains,” says Abbas.

“Attendees can expect to have, after this session, a better understanding of the benefits and uses of antioxidants, and why rosemary extracts are a solution of choice for a growing number of applications.”

Syensqo has already helped several major food industry players to eliminate artificial preservatives, and to substitute these with the natural benefits of rosemary extract antioxidants. Natural preservation methods can also help brands to improve their sustainability impact, ingredient transparency, and traceability. “Our customers value the ethical sourcing of our wild rosemary,” says Abbas.