01 Nov 2021 — Botanical extract producer Blue Sky Botanics is launching Baobab Fruit Purée, a bioactive ingredient marketed as having a better prebiotic dietary fiber content material than these produced with different plant powders, akin to inulin.
Caroline Brevitt, managing director of Blue Sky Botanics, tells FoodIngredientsFirst that Baobab Fruit Purée incorporates 11 g per 100 g of whole dietary fiber, a number of instances larger than different fruit purées.
For instance, the baobab puree has 3.4 instances extra dietary fiber than prune puree and 4.3 instances greater than banana. In contrast with raspberry and strawberry, it has 12.3 and 15.9 instances extra dietary fiber, respectively.
“The puree has a clean consistency that readily combines with different substances. It has a reasonably low pH and excessive Brix that makes it an excellent ingredient for a variety of candy and savory functions from wholesome snacking, drinks and preserves, explains Brevitt.
The analysis discovered baobab fruit fiber to be as highly effective a prebiotic as inulin, however at half the dose.
Selling intestine well being
Meals and beverage formulators are incorporating prebiotic substances extra usually into merchandise to help the intestine microbiome. Dietary fiber akin to inulin is used to stimulate the expansion of probiotic micro organism.
The elevated curiosity in practical fiber substances is due to consumers linking gut health and the microbiome to overall holistic well-being. According to the pattern of customized diet, cereal fibers, soluble fibers and fruit fibers are being promoted.
Baobab has a tangy citrus taste with hints of grapefruit and caramel and permits meals builders to infuse their merchandise with texture and a pleasing mouthfeel.
Analysis performed by Ghent College in Belgium discovered the baobab fruit fiber to be as highly effective a prebiotic as inulin, however at half the dose. A number of research had been performed on the Hadza hunter-gatherer tribe of Tanzania, who devour numerous baobab.
The research discovered that the Hadza have one of the vital numerous intestine microbiomes globally because of the excessive soluble fiber content material of their eating regimen, researchers deduce.
Baobab is estimated to be worth US$1 billion to rural Africa, sustaining the livelihoods of ten million households.
A number of formulations potential
The Baobab Fruit Purée produced by Blue Sky Botanics has a shelf lifetime of six months at ambient, 12 months when chilled, or 18 months when frozen.
The puree can be excessive in vitamin C, potassium and calcium. It may be utilized in varied functions, together with child meals, confectionery, baked items, drinks, desserts, dressings, diet bars, ice lotions, preserves and yogurts.
Brevitt explains: “There are occasions when a formulation requires a liquid ingredient, and we’ve had many purchasers ask if we may provide baobab on this format.”
The corporate discovered one of the best answer for making use of the baobab to completely different functions and found the puree labored greatest.
Blue Sky Botanics imports their baobab from Zimbabwe based mostly on a 16-year sourcing relationship with Gus le Breton, “The African Plant Hunter” and founding father of the Union for Moral BioTrade (UEBT) and PhytoTrade Africa.Turning the fruit powder right into a puree resolved time constraints and mixing challenges.
Powder formulation challenges addressed
Blue Sky Botanics found that the baobab fruit, which happens naturally as a powder, presents challenges in meals formulation.
“The hydrophobic nature of baobab powder makes mixing into liquid formulations on an industrial scale each difficult and time-consuming with out specialist mixing gear,” says Brevitt.
The baobab fruit pods dehydrate and harden on the department all through the dry season. This strategy of dehydration naturally concentrates the vitamins within the pods.
Turning the fruit powder right into a puree resolved these challenges, permitting the corporate to increase its makes use of.
Baobab Fruit Purée eliminates these challenges because the mechanical forces wanted to include the powder easily and persistently into an answer have already been utilized.
By Inga de Jong
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