Definition:

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herbgreey®Guarana extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Grape seed extract is a class of polyphenolic compounds extracted from grape seeds. It is primarily composed of proanthocyanidins, catechins, herbgreey®Guarana extract is a natural active substance derived from the seeds of the Paullinia cupana plant, a species belonging to the Sapindaceae family. Native to the Amazon River basin in South America, it is widely distributed throughout the tropical rainforests of countries such as Brazil and Venezuela. It has traditionally been used by local indigenous peoples as a functional ingredient. The seeds are processed using methods such as roasting, solvent extraction and spray drying to produce a fine brownish-yellow powder. Today, guarana extract is widely used in various fields, including the food and drink industry, health supplements, and cosmetics.

Particularities of herbgreey®Guarana extract:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, EP, BP, Food grade, In-house

▶Boost energy and focus

herbgreey®Guarana extract Applications:

The most well-known and well-researched benefit of herbgreey®Guarana extract is relieving fatigue. It contains caffeine (typically 2-6%, which is higher than in regular coffee) and guaranine, a compound that is structurally similar to caffeine. These compounds block adenosine receptors (which cause feelings of fatigue) in the brain, reducing the transmission of fatigue signals and simultaneously stimulating the secretion of adrenaline to enhance mental alertness, reaction speed and concentration. Guarana extract is suitable for use after physical exertion or when focused attention is required for work or study.

■ Source

herbgreey®Guarana extract is obtained solely from the guarana plant (scientific name: Paullinia cupana, also known as 'Brazilian cocoa'). The active components are primarily concentrated in the mature seeds of the plant rather than in the leaves, stems or fruit pulp. The mature seeds are reddish-brown to dark brown in colour and resemble coffee beans in shape. They have a diameter of approximately 5-8 mm. They have a hard texture and fine surface patterns. They are rich in active compounds such as caffeine, guaranaine and tannins, making them the core component for extraction. Unripe seeds contain less than a third of the active compounds found in mature seeds and have higher impurity levels, so only fully mature seeds are used as the raw material in industrial production.

Guarana is a plant that is typical of tropical rainforests and has stringent growth requirements. Consequently, it is primarily cultivated in the Amazon River basin in South America. Guarana is naturally distributed only in the upper reaches of the Amazon River and its tributaries, and Brazil is recognised globally as its place of origin and the largest producer, accounting for over 80% of the world's raw guarana production. Due to its high dependence on ecological conditions, the successful introduction and large-scale cultivation of guarana has been limited globally. Although trials have been conducted in the tropical regions of China's Hainan and Yunnan provinces, low seed yields and unstable component levels caused by winter cold and insufficient sunlight have prevented large-scale commercial cultivation. Currently, guarana extracts in China are primarily produced using Brazilian seeds and processed into various types of powder.

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

☑  herbgreey®Guarana extract powder 10% (Caffeine)

The most common use of herbgreey®Guarana extract is in energy drinks. Due to its higher caffeine content than coffee, as well as its content of components such as guarana alkaloids and saponins, guarana extract is often blended with taurine and B vitamins to relieve fatigue after exercise and during periods of overtime work or long-distance driving. In sports supplements, guarana extract enhances athletic endurance and reduces fatigue during exercise when combined with electrolytes and carbohydrates. Weight management products utilise its mild metabolic support and appetite-suppressing properties, which are based on the effects of caffeine.

High-purity guarana extract is typically added to supplements for individuals suffering from chronic fatigue and low energy levels, such as office workers and the elderly. It is often combined with other energising ingredients, such as ginseng and maca, to enhance its anti-fatigue effects. In weight management supplements, it is used as an additional ingredient alongside L-carnitine, green tea extract and others to promote fat oxidation and boost metabolism slightly. Products containing caffeine must clearly label their caffeine content to avoid excessive intake.

The addition of guarana extract must be strictly controlled in all applications, primarily to limit caffeine intake. The recommended daily intake for adults is 400 mg, and exceeding this amount can cause adverse reactions such as insomnia, palpitations and anxiety. Products must clearly label 'Contains guarana extract' and 'Caffeine content', and explicitly state 'Not suitable for certain populations' (pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with hypertension, heart disease, or anxiety disorders) to prevent misleading consumers.

■ Active ingredients

The efficacy of herbgreey®Guarana extract primarily relies on its unique active components, the most notable of which are listed below. Caffeine (caffeine) typically accounts for 2-6% of the extract (significantly higher than the 1-2% found in coffee beans). It is the primary active component in the extract that affects the central nervous system, and is responsible for its stimulating and fatigue-fighting effects. Guaranine has the same chemical structure as caffeine and belongs to the same class of methylxanthine compounds. Its mechanism of action is consistent with that of caffeine and it is often regarded as an equivalent active component (some literature combines the two for statistical purposes). Theobromine and theophylline are methylxanthine derivatives with a low content (typically below 0.5%), which assist caffeine in exerting mild stimulant effects, as well as having vasodilatory and metabolism-promoting properties. Tannins are primarily gallic acid-type tannins, accounting for approximately 3%-5% of the extract. They have antioxidant properties and slow the absorption rate of caffeine, preventing sudden spikes and drops in caffeine concentration in the bloodstream and reducing the sensation of rapid fatigue after stimulation. Flavonoids, such as quercetin and rutin, account for approximately 1% to 2% of the extract and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby enhancing its overall functionality.

Some clinical studies have shown that the caffeine in herbgreey®Guarana extract can help with weight control in two ways. Firstly, it promotes the release of fatty acids from fat cells and increases fat oxidation, i.e. it 'helps break down fat'. Secondly, it slightly increases the body's basal metabolic rate (a short-term effect that typically burns a small additional amount of calories daily) and has a mild appetite-suppressing effect on some individuals. However, this benefit requires a combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise, and cannot be used alone as a weight-loss ingredient. Additionally, further research is required to confirm the long-term safety of high-dose consumption.

▶ Weight management assistance

herbgreey®Guarana extract contains tannic acid and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. These can eliminate some free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with ageing and an increased risk of chronic diseases. However, as there are currently few clinical studies on humans, its effectiveness in delaying ageing and reducing disease risk cannot be clearly determined. For now, it can only be considered a potential benefit as an antioxidant supplement.

▶ Antioxidant

■ Extraction process characteristics

Richtek selects mature guarana seeds and clean them thoroughly to remove any impurities or residual fruit pulp. The seeds are then dried and ground to a particle size of 80-120 mesh, which facilitates the subsequent extraction of active components. A commonly used method is ethanol extraction, which involves using ethanol with a volume concentration of 45-55% for reflux extraction of the ground guarana seeds. In the pure water extraction method, guarana seeds are used as the substrate and are extracted directly with pure water. The extract is obtained through filtration and concentration. This method yields an extract with 100% water solubility, as well as a neutral taste and flavour.

After extraction, filter the solution to remove any undissolved solids and obtain a relatively clear filtrate. The filtered extract is then concentrated to remove the solvent, yielding a highly concentrated extract. Vacuum concentration is a commonly used method for this purpose. Further refinement can be performed to improve the purity and quality of guarana extract. For instance, combining nanofiltration membrane separation technology with macroporous adsorption chromatography resin separation technology can effectively increase the concentration of active ingredients such as caffeine, improve the water solubility of the extract and enhance the purity and taste of the final product. The concentrated extract can then be processed into powdered products using methods such as spray drying or freeze drying. Spray drying involves mixing the concentrated solution with auxiliary materials, such as maltodextrin, and then drying the mixture in a spray dryer to produce guarana extract powder. Freeze drying involves freezing the concentrated solution at low temperatures and then removing moisture through sublimation under vacuum conditions to obtain freeze-dried guarana extract powder.

General Information:

☑  herbgreey®Guarana extract powder 20% (Caffeine)

☑  herbgreey®Guarana extract powder 22% (Caffeine)