If you ask people which words jump to mind when they hear the word “garlic”, I’m guessing most would respond with a combination of smelly, healthy and, depending on taste preferences, yummy or yucky, but really garlic is so much more! The findings of published clinical studies show that garlic, specifically aged black garlic (ABG+), provides many health benefits. These include but are not limited to improving cardiovascular function, it’s potent antioxidant properties, and its role in helping to maintain healthy blood pressure levels1. For a more in-depth discussion about its health benefits, please click here. Years of research and development by Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L.U have resulted in aged black garlic of the premium Spring Violet variety, also called Spanish Allium sativum L. The aged black garlic in ABG+ products is 100% DNA-certified, standardised to native 0.1% S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), the bioactive component responsible for its cardioprotective properties, and is also odourless.
Garlic grows below ground, and much expertise is required to determine when the bulb has matured enough to be picked. The plants develope pods that are precursors to the bulbs that grow underground and will be ready for a summer harvest. The best time to harvest can vary and depends on the temperature and the rate at which the delicate, thin protective sheaths form around each clove and the head of the garlic. One of the secrets to obtaining the singularly valuable features of the ABG+® range of products is to harvest the garlic when the concentration of SAC in the plant’s bulb is at its highest.
No country in Europe produces more Garlic than Spain. At Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L.U., the garlic used in their premium range of ABG+ products is grown in their fields located in Castilla la Mancha, using traditional growth and harvesting methods. A beautiful sight to behold! With its warm winters, low humidity, and hot and dry summers, the climate lends itself well to growing garlic. From the location of the garlic harvest, it is only a two-hour drive to Pharmactive’s production facility, where a gentle, green, proprietary ageing and extraction process (ABG Cool-Tech TM) takes place. This proximity between field and facility benefits the integrity of the garlic and the finished product’s environmental impact. ABG10+® Organic is grown using sustainable agriculture practices and at no stage includes the use of pesticides or harmful fertilizers. In-house facilities enable control of the extraction process and full traceability, thereby ensuring that the product is unadulterated.
As a result of an ageing process, fresh garlic is transformed into aged black garlic as bulbs become enriched with potent antioxidants and cholesterol and blood pressure balancing compounds.2 S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), which contributes to reducing oxidative stress, is the most important of these compounds for maintaining heart health.3 Its antioxidant capacity is ten times higher than in white or fresh garlic.4 The controlled temperature and the humidity levels used for the proprietary ageing process eliminate the unpleasant organoleptic properties associated with raw garlic by reducing the levels of allin and allicin while increasing the percentage of bioactive compounds extracted. This method does not use organic solvents, alcohol or chemicals of any kind. The presence and concentration of active substances in aged black garlic rely significantly on the production process! This method is in stark contrast to the prevalent one of “ageing” garlic by exposing it to high temperatures and burning it to yield the characteristic colour of aged black garlic. As is so often the case, looks can be deceiving! Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L.U utilizes the precise HPLC analytical method to accurately measure the number of bioactive components present, ensuring that what you see is what you get.
Galenic applications: The ABG+® range of products is water-soluble and suited for use in different application forms, such as gummies, capsules, soft gels, syrups, effervescent tabs, ampoules, sachets, and functional foods and beverages. ABG+® containing products can therefore be formulated based on users differing needs and preferences.
References
- Valls RM, et al. Nutrients 2022; 14(3):405
- González-Hedström, D. et asl. World Summit on Nutrition and Eating Disorders, 2019.Nov 20-21, Madrid (Spain)
- Jones MG, et al (2007), Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology 1 (1), 21-24
- González-Hedström, D. et al. World Summit on Nutr. & Eating Disord. Nov 20-21, Madrid (Spain)NutraIngredients, Trend tracker 2021
Dr. Natalie Vladi, MRPharmS.
Scientific Advisor Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L.
Managing Director Fountain House GmbH, home to the premium food supplements brand Foondiert®
