The king of anthocyanins! Elderberry extract.
The status of elderberry extract as the "king of anthocyanins" is a comprehensive reflection of its unique raw materials, specialized processing techniques, scientifically proven efficacy, and regulatory compliance.
Release time：
2026-01-19
Source：
In the field of natural plant extracts and functional ingredients, anthocyanin-based raw materials are constantly emerging, but only a select few can be considered "king" of the category.Thanks to its unique anthocyanin composition, excellent biological activity, and extensive clinical validation, elderberry extract stands out from similar ingredients such as blueberries and mulberries, becoming an essential component in the fields of immune regulation and antioxidant protection.
一、The three core barriers related to elderberry anthocyanins:
1. Ingredients: A specific combination of anthocyanins, with activity far exceeding that of ordinary varieties.
- The proportion of core monomers is clearly defined：Elderberry anthocyanins are primarily composed of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside, which together account for over 98% of the total anthocyanins. This highly concentrated and specific combination makes its biological activity more targeted; in contrast, blueberry anthocyanins exist as a mixture of various monomers such as cyanidin and delphinidin, resulting in a more dispersed activity.
- The content is stable and controllable：High-quality black elderberry fresh fruit contains 1-8 mg/g of total anthocyanins. After standardized extraction, the anthocyanin content in the extract can be stably maintained between 2.5% and 3.2%, which is significantly higher than that of raw materials such as mulberries and cherries, providing a reliable content guarantee for industrial applications.
- Synergistic activity enhanced：Elderflower anthocyanins do not act alone, but rather form a synergistic system with flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) in the extract. Polyphenolic compounds constitute 60%-70% of the total phenols, resulting in an antioxidant capacity that is more than 40% higher than that of pure anthocyanins, and also enhancing immune regulatory effects.
2. Bioactivity: Dual capabilities of "immunity + antioxidant"
- The core role of immune regulation：Elderberry products have experienced explosive growth in the US market and have repeatedly sold out, primarily due to their ability to inhibit viral adhesion to the intestinal mucosa and enhance the activity of immune cells.In vitro studies have confirmed that elderberry polyphenols can inhibit the adhesion of *Escherichia coli* and *Helicobacter pylori* by disrupting the structure of pathogenic bacterial membranes, while also activating immune pathways and enhancing the body's antiviral capabilities.
- 肠道健康协同机制：Daily intervention with 600mg of elderberry extract for 3 weeks can significantly increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as *Akkermansia muciniphila* and *Sutterella*, inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, and simultaneously produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through fermentation, lowering intestinal pH, repairing intestinal barrier function, and improving glucose and lipid metabolism. This synergistic effect of "anthocyanins + gut microbiota" is difficult to achieve with ordinary anthocyanin raw materials.
- Antioxidant and damage repair：After being metabolized in the gut, the secondary phenolic acid products of elderflower anthocyanins exhibit stronger biological activity. They can reduce ROS production in intestinal cells by activating the Nrf2 pathway and inhibit oxidative DNA damage. Their antioxidant capacity is significantly enhanced after fermentation compared to the unfermented raw material, with the total phenolic content increasing from 3.34 mg/mL to 8.73 mg/mL.
3. Market acceptance: Policy support + global demand
- International standard benchmark：The European elderberry extract standard drafted by BGG was included in the United States Pharmacopoeia. It establishes a complete technical specification, covering quality control, identification methods, and testing indicators. This standard is used in over 130 countries worldwide, setting a quality benchmark for the industry.
- Domestic policies have been relaxed：In 2025, elderberry anthocyanins were approved as a novel food ingredient in China, explicitly permitted for use in beverages, dairy products, candies, pastries, and other categories. A recommended daily intake of ≤3.2 grams was established, opening a compliant pathway for market development in China.
- Demand continues to surge：The global elderberry extract market is growing at an annual rate of 18%, with North America and Europe being the core consumption regions. The domestic market is entering a period of rapid growth due to the implementation of supportive policies, with the strongest demand in the areas of immune modulation, gut health, and cosmetic antioxidants.
二、The extraction process determines the activity and purity of anthocyanins.
Elderflower anthocyanins are easily degraded by temperature, light, and pH changes. The key to high-quality extracts lies in precise extraction and low-temperature preservation throughout the entire process; any lapse in any stage will lead to a reduction in value.
1. Raw material selection: Origin and harvesting determine inherent quality.
The quality of the raw materials directly determines the anthocyanin content and activity. The mainstream industry standards for selecting raw materials are as follows：
- Carefully selected origin：Due to low pollution, abundant sunshine, and large diurnal temperature variations, elderberries from the Nordic region have 20%-30% higher anthocyanin content than those from other regions, making them the preferred raw material. Standardized cultivation bases have been established in Shandong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces in China, producing elderberries that meet EU pharmacopoeia standards, enabling localized supply.
- Variety and harvesting time：Only the berries of the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) have commercial value and should be harvested when they are just ripe (dark purple to black), as this is when the anthocyanin content reaches its peak. Overripe or unripe fruits lose more than 30% of their active ingredients.
- Preprocessing specifications：Within two hours of harvesting, the fruits are washed and destemmed, and transported using a low-temperature cold chain to prevent oxidative damage to anthocyanins caused by crushing. After pretreatment, the moisture content of the raw materials is controlled to below 15%, laying the foundation for subsequent extraction.
2. Core process: Low-temperature extraction and purification, maximizing the preservation of active ingredients.
The industry's mature process is centered around "ultrasonic-assisted extraction + resin purification + low-temperature drying," precisely balancing yield and activity：
- Extraction process optimization：Using acidified water with a pH of 3 as the solvent and employing ultrasound-assisted extraction, a yield of 9.50 mg/g of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside can be obtained, representing a 70% increase compared to the traditional maceration method. Low temperatures prevent anthocyanin degradation. The extraction temperature is strictly controlled below 50℃, and the extraction time does not exceed 3 hours to prevent the activation of polyphenol oxidase activity.
- Purification and enrichment：Using dynamic column purification with Amberlite XAD-7 macroporous resin and a double dilution technique with ethyl acetate and 70% ethanol, efficient separation of anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids was achieved, with a separation efficiency of 95%. This method can enrich the total anthocyanin content of the extract from 1%-2% in the crude extract to a standardized level of 2.5%-3.2%.
- Drying and post-processing：Using low-temperature spray drying, the active ingredients are preserved while achieving rapid dehydration; the dried powder is then sieved through a 100-mesh screen, and 0.5% silicon dioxide is added to improve fluidity and prevent moisture absorption and caking. The product is packaged in opaque aluminum foil bags to protect it from light and moisture.
3. Quality control core: quantitative indicators + authoritative testing
Based on USP standards and domestic regulations for new food ingredients, high-quality elderberry extract must meet the following quality control indicators：
Quality control indicators | Standard requirements | Detection method |
|---|---|---|
Total anthocyanin content | 2.5%-3.2% (calculated as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) | HPLC-DAD method (detection wavelength 520 nm) |
Total phenolic content | ≥8 mg/mL (dry product) | Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method |
Heavy metal residue | Lead ≤ 0.1 ppm, Cadmium ≤ 0.05 ppm, Arsenic ≤ 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS method |
Microbial limits | Total bacterial count ≤ 10,000 cfu/g, pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli) not detected. | Plate counting method |
Moisture content | ≤5% | Karl Fischer method |
The status of elderberry extract as the "king of anthocyanins" is a comprehensive reflection of its unique raw materials, specialized processing techniques, scientifically proven efficacy, and regulatory compliance.For botanical extract companies, it is crucial to adhere to "high-quality raw materials from superior origins + low-temperature preservation technology + quantitative quality control" to ensure the activity and purity of anthocyanins. For downstream customers, it is necessary to customize specifications based on specific applications, enhance efficacy through synergistic formulations, and strictly adhere to regulatory boundaries.
Related News
2025-10-20
2025-06-30
2025-06-04
Get a free Inquiry
For inquiries about our products or pricelist, please leave your email to us and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
PRODUCTS
CONTACT US
A1305 yungu, Rongcheng, 57 Keji Third Road, High-tech Zone, Xi'an, Shannxi, China