Definition:

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herbgreey®Grape seed extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Grape seed extract is a class of polyphenolic compounds extracted from grape seeds. It is primarily composed of proanthocyanidins, catechins, epicatechins, gallic acid and epicatechin gallate, as well as other polyphenolic compounds. Grape seeds are a by-product of wine production and are the seeds of grapes. They are obtained by drying and separating the grape skins and stems. Rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, grape seeds possess health-promoting and beauty-enhancing properties.

Particularities of herbgreey®Grape seed extract

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, Food grade, In-house

▶Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory

herbgreey®Grape seed extract Applications:

The proanthocyanidins found in herbgreey®Grape seed extract are powerful antioxidants. They have an antioxidant capacity 20 times greater than vitamin C and 50 times greater than vitamin E, and effectively eliminate free radicals in the body. This reduces free radical damage to cells and protects the integrity of cellular structure and function. Free radicals are one of the main causes of skin ageing and wrinkles. Through its antioxidant properties, grape seed extract can slow down the ageing process, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and radiance. Components such as proanthocyanidins have anti-inflammatory properties, which inhibit the release of inflammatory factors such as tumour necrosis factor and interleukin, thereby alleviating inflammatory responses.

■ Source

herbgreey®Grape seed extract is primarily sourced from the seeds of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera), which are typically a by-product of wine production or grape juice manufacturing. France is one of the main regions where grape seed extract is produced. The primary overseas production bases are France, Italy and New Zealand. China is also a major producer of grape seed extract, with numerous domestic companies engaged in its production. Some Chinese companies utilise imported, high-quality European grape seeds for extraction and production, while others leverage domestic grape seed resources.

herbgreey®Grape seed extract is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®Grape seed extract powder 120:1

herbgreey®Grape seed extract is a common ingredient in the health supplement market, with its primary use based on its antioxidant properties. Proanthocyanidins have an antioxidant capacity 20 times greater than vitamin C and 50 times greater than vitamin E, helping to neutralise free radicals and slow cellular ageing. It is a key ingredient in anti-ageing health supplements, such as capsules, tablets and oral liquids. Grape seed extract can inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce blood viscosity and improve blood circulation, thereby helping to prevent atherosclerosis and hypertension. It is also commonly found in “cardiovascular health” products. Grape seed extract reduces free radical damage to skin cells, improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. Some oral beauty products contain its active ingredients. It can also help to reduce oxidative muscle damage after exercise and accelerate recovery, which is why it is commonly found in sports nutrition supplements.

As a natural antioxidant and nutritional supplement, herbgreey®Grape seed extract is used in the food industry for preserving food, leveraging its antioxidant properties to slow down the oxidation and deterioration of oils, meats, pastries and other foods, thereby extending their shelf life. When added to products such as juices, yoghurt and breakfast cereals, it enhances their antioxidant and nutritional properties, meeting consumers' demand for natural, healthy options. In the production of wine and fruit wine, grape seed extract can stabilise quality, improve colour and enhance antioxidant activity.

Due to its multiple benefits for the skin, herbgreey®Grape seed extract has become a popular ingredient in skincare products. When added to skincare products, it combats the oxidation of the skin caused by UV rays and pollution, thereby preventing dullness and dark spots. It can also alleviate redness and sensitivity caused by external stimuli, such as seasonal changes or cosmetic intolerance, and is therefore commonly found in soothing skincare products. It can also inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce melanin production to help improve an uneven skin tone, making it a suitable ingredient in whitening products.

■ Active ingredients

The active components of herbgreey®Grape seed extract are primarily polyphenolic compounds, which are key to its physiological activity. The most abundant and potent of these are proanthocyanidins, which account for 60%-90% of the total polyphenols in the extract (commercially available standardised extracts typically label proanthocyanidin content as 80%, 95%, etc.). Proanthocyanidins are oligomers (oligomeric proanthocyanidins, OPC) or polymers formed by the condensation reaction of catechins, epicatechins and other flavanol monomers. Oligomers have higher bioavailability and stronger antioxidant activity than polymers. Monomeric phenolic compounds, catechin and epicatechin are the basic structural units of proanthocyanidins and possess antioxidant activity. They aid the removal of free radicals and participate in the regulation of cellular signalling pathways. Gallic acid, a phenolic acid, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and enhances the stability of other polyphenolic components. Other minor active components include quercetin and kaempferol, which, despite being present in lower concentrations, contribute to antioxidant and immune-modulating effects. They also contain trace amounts of vitamins E and C, which enhance the antioxidant effects of polyphenols synergistically, as well as minerals such as potassium and calcium. However, these are present in such low quantities that they have minimal impact on overall efficacy.

Proanthocyanidins can inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and promote its metabolism and excretion. This reduces total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and helping to prevent atherosclerosis. herbgreey®Grape seed extract protects vascular endothelial cells, enhances the elasticity of blood vessel walls, improves vascular dilation function, reduces vascular fragility and permeability, and decreases the risk of bleeding. It has preventive and therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. It inhibits platelet aggregation, prevents blood clot formation and reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular embolisms.

▶ Cardiovascular health

herbgreey®Grape seed extract can regulate immune function, promote the proliferation and activity of immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages, and enhance resistance to pathogens. It can also strengthen immune defences and reduce the incidence of infectious diseases. It can also improve blood circulation in the eyes, alleviating eye fatigue. Its antioxidant properties protect retinal cells from free radical damage, helping to prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts, and improve vision.

▶ Boosting immunity and eye health

■ Extraction process characteristics

The production process of herbgreey®Grape seed extract involves extracting and purifying polyphenolic compounds, particularly proanthocyanidins, from grape seeds while ensuring the retention of active components and enhancing purity and safety.

Impurities such as grape skins, stems, and sand are removed from grape seed by-products from wine production or juice processing (to avoid wasting fresh grape seeds). The pure seeds are then separated using vibrating screens or air-classifying equipment. The seeds are quickly rinsed with clean water to reduce the amount of residual sugars and microorganisms on their surface and prevent the introduction of impurities during subsequent extraction. Low-temperature or vacuum drying is then used to prevent high temperatures that could damage the polyphenolic compounds' activity. The dried grape seeds are then ground into particles with a mesh size of 20-40 (powder that is too fine may cause filtration difficulties, while particles that are too coarse may reduce extraction efficiency), thereby increasing the surface area in contact with the solvent.

Extracting the active ingredients is a core process step, involving dissolving polyphenolic compounds from grape seeds in a solvent. The most common method is solvent extraction using an ethanol-water solution with a concentration of 50-70%, as this exhibits high solubility for proanthocyanidins while inhibiting the extraction of lipophilic impurities, such as oils. However, the resulting extract contains significant amounts of impurities, such as sugars, proteins, pigments and fats, which require further purification to enhance the purity of the proanthocyanidins. First, solid residues are removed from the extract using plate-and-frame filtration or centrifugation to obtain a clear filtrate. Macroporous resin adsorption is commonly used to elute polyphenols from the resin, yielding a crude extract. If the extract is dark in colour due to pigments, decolourisation can be achieved through activated carbon adsorption or ion exchange resin treatment. Deodorisation may also be performed to improve the sensory qualities of the product. Finally, the solvent is removed from the extract using vacuum concentration at 50-60°C to obtain an extract paste with a solid content of 50-70%. This paste can then be spray-dried (or freeze-dried) to produce a powdered extract with a moisture content of less than 5%.

General Information:

☑  herbgreey®Grape seed extract powder 95%/98% (Proanthocyanidin)

☑  herbgreey®Grape seed extract powder 80%/70% (Polyphenols)

☑  herbgreey®Grape seed extract powder 75%-95% (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, OPC)