Madrid-headquartered Pharmactive Biotech Products is launching its ‘Affron’ Spanish saffron extract at Vitafoods Asia 2019 in Singapore this week.
The company’s formulation claims the lowest dosage threshold on the market — just 28mg per day — with proven pharmacokinetic bioavailability and rapid one-hour absorption.
Affron is standardized to Lepticrosalides, a complex of bioactive compounds responsible for the beneficial and organoleptic attributes of Affron. The capabilities of this non-GMO, all-natural saffron extract is supported by five clinical studies. These compounds have been clinically shown to improve mood and alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as induce relaxation and improve sleep quality. Affron also is reported to be the first saffron extract clinically studied on adolescents.
Farm-to-fork supply chain
Pharmactive grows and cultivates the saffron in its fields within the terrain of Castilla-La-Mancha in Spain. The arid plains and dry, warm Mediterranean climate of the region present ideal conditions for the cultivation of saffron.
“Crocus sativus L. species has been cultivated and consumed for centuries in Spain and its culinary and beneficial values have been long appreciated,” says marketing manager Julia Diaz. The golden threads of the saffron plant are worth nearly their weight in gold, due in part to their labour-intensive harvesting method. During the short eight weeks in autumn when they bloom, the flowers must be carefully hand-picked, one at a time, and within the few hours between dawn and mid-day to avoid wilting of the delicate stigmas that form the saffron threads.
“As a high-value botanical, saffron is extremely susceptible to counterfeiting,” adds Alberto Espinel, head of R&D at the company. “The company’s saffron is home grown and manufactured in their extraction plant in Madrid. The optimized extraction process employed ensures the highest concentration of saffron’s active lepticrosalides.”
Affron is water-soluble and readily applicable to food formats or supplements. It is kosher and halal certified, non-irradiated, and has a three-year shelf-life.
• Pharmactive can be located at Booth #I32 at Vitafoods Asia 2019, 25-26 September, Singapore