Red Fruit Products Offer Function and Nutrition

Red fruits are rich in bioflavonoid complexes that enhance the taste, color and nutritional content of food products. The high anthocyanin pigment content of red to deep-purple berries, in particular, makes these ingredients effective natural colorants with numerous health benefits.

Artemis International has expanded its line of chokeberry products to include bilberry, black currant, cranberry and elderberry. These red fruits are available in the following forms: standardized nutritional products, juices, liquid concentrates, spray-dried concentrates, and dried fruit.

Standardized nutritional products have application in health-oriented foods and as a colorant. Bilberry, chokeberry and elderberry concentrates are processed by membrane filtration to extract and standardize the level of anthocyanin without the use of chemical solvents. The ingredients have no flavor. "Standardizing the level of anthocyanin enhances the coloring ability and nutrition profile of red fruit products," explains Tracy Ging, vice president, marketing and sales.

Red fruit juices naturally color beverages, pie and cookie fillings, and jellies and jams. Depending on the type of berry and pH of the food system, the color can range from true red to deep purple. Elderberry juice is commonly used as a red colorant.

Artemis International has the ability to produce liquid concentrates by different processing methods. The standard process uses heat to concentrate red fruit juices to 65°Brix. Freeze concentration produces a higher quality product with more flavor and little loss of nutrient content. The concentrates provide color and flavor to many foods, including ice cream, yogurt, jams, jellies and fruit juice cocktails.

Red fruits, with their high anthocyanin content, are increasingly recognized for their health benefits. One way that anthocyanin functions is as an antioxidant. In this role, anthocyanins help prevent cancer and lipid-oxidation-derived diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Anthocyanins have been shown to work synergistically with antioxidant vitamins, specifically vitamin C. Other benefits attributed to anthocyanins include: healing of superficial wounds and ulcers by acting as a free radical scavenger; fighting viruses; and improving night vision.

Artemis International formed a partnership with Iprona SpA-AG in 1997. Located in northern Italy, Iprona supplies Artemis with European berries. Artemis, in turn, provides marketing and application expertise. "We have access to Iprona's complete product line of red fruits, plus a variety of other berry, fruit and tropical concentrates," Ging says. "This includes many organic fruits."

For more information: Artemis International, Inc., 4646 West Jefferson Blvd., Suite 280, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Tel: 219-436-6899. Fax: 219/459-1733

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