Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L., Madrid, Spain, used SupplySide West to introduce its Affron® all-natural, non-GMO Spanish saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) in the US market. Pharmactive will launch Affron at SupplySide West 2019 in Las Vegas, Booth #3943-B, on 17-18 October 2019. 

The company’s formulation boasts the lowest dosage threshold on the market — just 28mg per day — with proven 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 clean-label, synthetic-free, pure plant saffron extract is backed by several clinical studies. These compounds have been clinically shown to improve mood in healthy individuals, relieve stress and occasional sadness, support relaxation, and help enhance sleep. Affron also is the first saffron extract clinically studied on adolescents.

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 Julia Diaz, marketing manager of Pharmactive. 

Diaz says the golden threads of the saffron plant are worth nearly their weight in gold, due in part to their labor-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 of Pharmactive. “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.”

Pharmactive has established a range of quality control procedures, including active compound quantification, meticulous adulteration detection measures, and microbiological and contaminant analysis to ensure consistent quality of its formulation. 

“We work in close cooperation with our saffron farmers, respecting the cultural heritage of this exceptional region. Their innate knowledge of saffron and how to optimally produce and harvest it using no fertilizer is key to Pharmactive´s unmatched quality offering,” notes Espinel. “Furthermore, we conduct strict quality controls internally and externally through certified third parties. These meticulous measures provide full traceability and allow a wholly trusted source of saffron.”

Affron is water-soluble and readily applicable to food formats or supplements. It is kosher and halal certified, non-GMO, non-irradiated, and has a three-year shelf-life.

Visit us at SupplySide West 2019, Booth #3943-B.

About Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L.

Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L., is a privately-owned company that develops and manufactures differentiated natural ingredients supported by scientific evidence. The company was founded by a group of entrepreneurs led by Jean-Marie Raymond, who developed a breakthrough concept for the traditional Mediterranean plant of saffron. With high standards and dedicated R&D investment, Pharmactive was the first company to introduce saffron extract for mood improvement. Pharmactive partners internationally with universities and research organizations to boost its R&D capabilities and generate new opportunities for its customers.

Company contact:

Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L.
Julia Diaz, Head of Marketing    
Tel: +34 91 112 38 48    
Email: marketing@pharmactive.eu
Web: www.pharmactive.eu
Affron web: www.pharmactive.eu/en/affron-2-2