Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

Utilisation of plant genetic resources for valuable raw materials
Utilisation of plant genetic resources for valuable raw materials in
foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products
H. SCHULZ 1
Abstract
Plant raw materials are used in a wide range of products such as phytopharmaceuticals,
soaps, perfume oils, cosmetics, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,
ice-cream, convenience foods and others. This paper presents a short survey
of those natural raw materials, which are most relevant today for industrial production.
In this context some information is provided concerning the application, the effectiveness,
the importance on the market and the analysis of the individual valuable
substances.
Introduction
There is a growing interest in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry to use medicinal
plant extracts for various fields of applications. Health food shops and pharmacies
present numerous phyto-pharmaceuticals claimed to benefit a wide range of
conditions. Presently, there are also some attempts to introduce new products, socalled
“nutraceuticals” and “cosmeceuticals” which can be defined as food and cosmetic
products that result in the delivery of a specific health benefit of improvement.
Since the addition of synthetic antioxidants to foods or cosmetic materials is very limited
for legislative reasons, natural antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, distinctive
flavonoids or carnosic acid are commonly used for that purpose. In recent years
also the use of natural dyes has regained some importance especially in beverages
and cosmetics.
Natural aroma compounds
Intensive research activities over the past 40 years have identified more than 10,000
volatile flavour compounds in nature that are able to trigger specific association of
food materials in the receptors of the human brain. These aroma complexes or iso-
1
Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants
Institute for Plant Analysis
Neuer Weg 22-23
D-06484 Quedlinburg, Germany
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