BEYOND EFFICACY, TOWARDS “ONE HEALTH”
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Go to sectionCircular economy, upcycling and zero waste are the new keywords that define Mirtoselect®, the authentic bilberry extract that incorporates the true and complete meaning of the word sustainability.
The sustainable supply chain behind Mirtoselect® starts with rural families and small suppliers who continue a long-standing tradition of wild bilberry picking in the forests of Northern and Eastern Europe: a choice that allows Indena to fully respect local biodiversity and fight poverty with positive social impacts.
It continues along principles of circularity, thanks to a process optimized to minimize resource use and achieve zero-waste production through upcycling. All while maximizing health benefits with an extract verified by DNA testing and scientifically proven to benefit vascular health and ophthalmology with its antioxidant action.
Vaccinium myrtillus L. is a small edible berry whose use in traditional medicine has been documented since the Middle Ages, becoming one of the major herbal remedies after 16th century. Later studies have then identified some of bilberry biologically active substances, particularly the anthocyanins, with impressive antioxidant properties.1
Mirtoselect® is a standardized extract containing more than 36% of anthocyanins, whose formulation has been optimized from the 1970s. Supported by more than 60 positive studies, including at least 30 controlled or double-blind studies, Mirtoselect® is proven to be effective in supporting vascular and eye health2.
Leveraging those benefits, nowadays Mirtoselect® is also studied for its anthocyanins profile broad effect encompassing brain health, memory optimization, cardiovascular health, metabolic health and more.3,4,5,6,7,19
HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
How can Mirtoselect® become a driver for a sustainable future? This is how it all started, a simple question inspired by the UN Sustainable Developments Goals, that gave birth to the journey towards social, economic and environmental sustainability.
BIODIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Bilberry picking becomes a way to ensure biodiversity and conservation of the natural environment, since it represents a real possibility of income for local population, as it happens in Northern and Eeastern Europe, where this activity also safeguards the natural heritage threatened by deforestation.
A VIRTUOS PROCESS: ZERO WASTE AND LESS ENERGY
The production process of Mirtoselect® reflects its sustainable and circular vocation: all fruit waste, water and ethanol used are upcycled and reused in a cycle of endless value. In addition, the energetic impact has been optimized thanks to the investments in highly efficient energy production plants including solar panels and steam boilers,that allow Indena to self-produce up to the 75% of energy needed by its Italian main plant.
BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The concept of One Health really fits Mirtoselect®, since not only is a nutraceutical product that has a proved beneficial activity on vascular health and ophthalmology but, from its origin in the forest, it respects the natural environment. An example? The extraction process only uses ethanol, a biodegradable and eco-compatible option instead of other more hazardous organic and toxic solvents.
The beneficial activity of Mirtoselect® relies mostly in its anthocyanins’ powerful antioxidant potential, although anthocyanins’ are also associated to other biological activities.5
The major application areas investigated so far for Mirtoselect® are vascular health and ophthalmology. Thanks to the effect on microcirculation, Mirtoselect® can improve oxygen and blood delivery to the eye, restoring the tear secretion functionality and supporting eye health in retinal challenges.
Furthermore, its free-radical scavenging properties counteract oxidative stress, one of the major dry-eye discomfort risk factors.
Mirtoselect® has recently shown beneficial effects in human studies on brain health.
It is proven useful in terms of cognitive flexibility, promoting the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to quickly shift from one topic to another, supporting the decision-making process.
As an effect on the executive function, the extract also ameliorated the ability to sequence and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.19
Mirtoselect® has a highly specific fingerprint, identified through HPLC analysis for guaranteeing that it is only obtained from fresh fruits, harvested when ripe, to optimize the extract quality.8-12
Moreover, Mirtoselect® is the first Indena extract that is tested with DNA analysis during quality control procedures to ensure quality, traceability and authenticity of the extract.
Your brain makes you uniquely you. As life's pace challenges our mental well-being, nature offers specific solution. Discover Indena's golden quartet of botanical ingredients, carefully selected to nurture your brain health and help you live life to its fullest.
Bibliography
1Prior R.L. et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 46, 2686 (1998).
2Morazzoni P. et al, Fitoterapia, 67, 3-29. (1996).
3Krikorian R. et al. J Agric Food Chem. 14;58(7):3996-4000 (2010).
4Karlsen A.,et al. J. Nutr., 137, 1951-1954. (2007).
5Mink, P. J.et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 85, 895-909 (2007).
6Campbell, F. M., et alt., In: Obesity facts, 5v(s1) p198.v (2012).
7Hoggard N. et al. Journal of Nutritional Science, vol. 2, e22, page 1 of 9 (2013).
8Gizzi C. et al., European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, Jun; 20(11):2418-24 (2016).
9Cassinese C., J. AOAC Int., 90 (4), 911-919 (2007).
10Baj E. et al, J. Chromatogr. 279, 365-372 (1983).
11European Pharmacopoeia 6th Ed. Suppl. 6.2 Fresh bilberry Fruit Dry Extract Refi ned and Standardised, 3745-3747.
12FU Mirtillo Nero Estratto Secco Purifi cato e Titolato XI Ed. Suppl. 1, 1469-1472 (2005).
13USP 31–NF 26 - Second Supplement Powdered Bilberry Extract (Identifi cationand Assay).
14Hoggard N. et al., Journal of Nutritional Science, vol. 2, e22, page 1 of 9 (2013).
15Kim E.S., et al, J. Korean Ophthalmology Soc.,49(10):1629-1633 (2008).
16Kajimoto S. et al., J. New Rem. Clin, Vol.49 N.1, 72-79 (2000).
17Mazzolani F. et al., Minerva Oftalmo, ;59(2). 38-41 (2017).
18Riva A. et al, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences; 21: 2518-2525 (2017).
19Confidential data on file. Manuscript in preparation (2024).
Is the most studied and most documented bilberry extract on the market.
Is the authentic bilberry extract obtained from Vaccinium myrtillus L. berries with a very specific “fingerprint” identified through HPLC analysis.
Originates from fruit that has been authenticated also with genomic identification, contains 36% of anthocyanins and is standardized, completely safe, and used in several supplement formulations.
Has more than 60 positive studies, on several systems.
Improves vascular health.
Shows an outstanding antioxidant potential.
Is a valid support for eye health.
Quality tracked down to the genome with proprietary DNA validation.
It reflects social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Behind the product there is a sustainable supply chain relying on traditional methods and a circular production process designed by Indena.
Common Name
Mirtoselect®
Botanical Origin
Vaccinium myrtillus L.
Type
Extract
Plant source
Fresh frozen fruit
HALAL and KOSHER certified
Health benefit
Antioxidant activity, Eye health, Retinal health, Vascular health
Trademark
Mirtoselect is a trademark of Indena S.p.A The use of Indena’s trademarks is subject Indena’s authorization and to the acceptance of the terms and conditions set out in the Trademark Usage Guidelines downloadable HERE.
Specifications
Characterized by a specific and consistent HPLC profile that represents the extract's “fingerprint”
Recommended dose and use
160 – 320 mg/day. Mirtoselect® is a dark red-violet powder that can be used in a variety of supplement formulations.
Assay
36% anthocyanins by HPLC (equivalent to 25% anthocyanidins by UV)
Broad category
Healthy vision, Antioxidant support, Capillarotropic
These statements may not comply with your country’s laws and regulations or with Reg. EC n. 1924/2006 and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Marketers of finished products containing this ingredient are responsible for ensuring compliance with the applicable legal framework.
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