Title: Fundamentals of Food Production and Food Industries – Guires Food Research Lab
1How are plant essential oils valuable as
functional ingredients?
An Academic presentation by Dr. Nancy Agnes,
Head, Technical Operations, FoodResearchLab Group
www.foodresearchlab.com Email
info_at_foodresearchlab.com
2WHAT IS NATURAL ESSENTIAL OIL?
Essential oils, also called natural essential
oils, are derived from the steam distillation of
plant components, like seeds, flowers, leaves,
stems, aromatic woods and roots and retain the
flavour and smell of their source 1.
3INTRODUCTION
- Essential oils are colourless liquids consisting
of organic, aromatic, volatile and lipid-soluble
molecules. - They are widely used as a perfume due to their
distinctive scent. - In the food and beverage industries, they are
used as flavouring agents-for example, vanilla
essential oil and cardamom essential oil.
4- The Food and Drug Administration has categorised
about 300 essential oils as Generally Recognised
as Safe (GRAS). - Recently, they have gained attention for their
use as natural food preservatives due to their
antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. - There is also an increasing interest in
incorporating essential oils as a valuable
ingredient in dietary supplements and
nutraceuticals 1.
5ESSENTIAL OILS AS FOOD PRESERVATIVES
- Essential oils are rich in bioactive compounds,
and there are multiple mechanisms involved in
their antimicrobial activity, for they are
significantly different in their chemical
structure. - However, the hydrophobic nature of the bioactive
compounds destroys the bacteria, thereby
preventing food degradation, leading to increased
shelf life and functioning as a food
preservative.
6Research has shown that lemon essential oil,
oregano essential oil, rosemary essential oil and
vanilla essential oils can be used to preserve
seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables and cereal
products.
7ESSENTIAL OILS AS FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS
- Probiotics have been gaining attention in recent
years for restoring the microbial balance in the
digestive system and promoting digestive health. - Since essential oils have antimicrobial
properties, they can be used with probiotics to
treat pathogenic infections in the digestive
system. - Flavoured curd, flavoured yoghurt and fermented
drinks from milk are some examples of
essential-oil-enriched probiotics.
8- In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of
the probiotics were also significantly increased.
- Examples of essential oils included in probiotics
are- eucalyptus, myrrh, Mexican mint and holy
basil. - In addition, the shelf-life of these products was
also significantly increased. - Essential oils have also been studied for
managing inflammatory bowel disease. - Essential oils from coriander showed a reduction
in the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in
rats and can potentially be used to manage the
symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in humans.
9- Other essential oils researched for managing the
symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease Include
lavender, lemon and myrtle. - Other disorders where essential oils could be
used to manage their symptoms include metabolic
disorders like diabetes, hypertension and obesity
and protect liver health and promote digestive
health, owing to their anti-inflammatory
properties.
10CONCLUSION
- Essential oils have been gaining attention as
preservatives used in food, and there have been
studies on the beneficial effects of essential
oils when used as a functional ingredient in
nutraceuticals and supplements. - Techniques like microencapsulation could be
implemented to reduce their intense flavour and
aroma, and thus they can be incorporated as a
nutraceutical into functional foods and
beverages.
11HOW THE FOOD RESEARCH LAB CAN HELP
- The Food Research Lab offers ingredient
development solutions for clients worldwide. - We thoroughly assess the suppliers and food raw
materials for their safety and quality. - Apart from developing products, we ensure the
beverage, nutraceutical and food product label
adheres to the regulations, making them
successful.
12CONTACT US
UNITED KINGDOM
44- 161 818 4656
INDIA
91 9566299022
EMAIL
info_at_foodresearchlab.com