Executive Summary: Grape Seed Extract with Targeted Bioactivity Phase 2

Summary of Project and Key Findings:
NZ Extracts Ltd (NZE) produces a grape seed extract from the dried seeds of Sauvignon Blanc grape pomace. This project aims to develop a novel grape seed extract process and product, conduct onsite development work and perform metabolite analysis of NZ Extracts produced grapeseed extract. A novel process was developed to target a more efficient proprietary process with a more desirable bioactive profile.

The novel modification to the proprietary extraction that was developed reduced the requirements for subsequent concentration processing thus generated less losses. While the novel proprietary process had a higher rate of phenolic loss, the shorter run times led to an overall higher yield. The novel NZE product resulting from this work is similar in general to the standard NZE product. A small extension of the point of difference with competitor products was noted as a slight increase in procyanidin trimers and a small but not significant reduction in monomeric flavanols compared to the standard process.
Overall, both, the higher efficiency, and the standard NZ Extracts product produced desirable anti-inflammatory effects in invitro trials in comparison to competitors products. This data will further support investment in the New Zealand capacity to process grape marc generated from the New Zealand wine industry.