Rosemary Extract

Rosemary Extract is made from the needle-like leaves of rosemary, the fragrant Mediterranean herb now known botanically as Salvia rosmarinus. Cooks love it for flavour. Food technologists love it for a different reason: it is one of the most effective natural antioxidants available for keeping oils and foods fresh.

Arizone International supplies Rosemary Extract standardised to carnosic acid or rosmarinic acid for food, feed, nutraceutical and cosmetic manufacturers, in powder and oil-soluble forms.

A Herb With a New Name

For centuries, rosemary was called Rosmarinus officinalis. In 2017, botanists moved it into the sage genus, and its accepted name became Salvia rosmarinus. Both names are still used in trade. The old name comes from the Latin "ros marinus", meaning "dew of the sea", because rosemary grows well on sea cliffs in the Mediterranean.

Rosemary has long been linked with memory. Greek students wore rosemary in their hair during exams, and Shakespeare's Ophelia says "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."

Two Types of Rosemary Extract

• Oil-Soluble (Carnosic Acid) ExtractRich in carnosic acid and carnosol. These are the compounds that protect fats and oils from oxidation. Common grades range from 5% to 60% or more carnosic acid, and deodorised grades have very little rosemary flavour.
• Water-Soluble (Rosmarinic Acid) ExtractRich in rosmarinic acid, a polyphenol used in beverages, supplements and water-based cosmetics.

Natural Antioxidant for Food

Rosemary extract is approved as a food additive in the European Union under the number E392, and it is widely used as a clean-label replacement for synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT. Even small amounts can noticeably extend the shelf life of oil-rich products.

• Frying oils, edible oils and fats
• Meat, sausages and poultry products
• Snacks, nuts and crackers
• Mayonnaise, dressings and sauces
• Fish oil and omega-3 products
• Pet food and animal feed

Other Applications

• Dietary supplements for antioxidant and cognitive wellness
• Hair oils, shampoos and scalp products
• Anti-ageing skin creams and serums
• Natural preservative systems in cosmetics, along with other ingredients
• Herbal teas and functional beverages

Specifications and Storage

We supply rosemary extracts as fine powders or as liquid oil-soluble forms, with the active percentage tested by HPLC. Flavour and odour levels can be specified for food use. Store in sealed containers, away from light and heat. Carnosic acid grades are particularly sensitive to oxidation once opened.

Tips for Buyers and Formulators

For food preservation, choose rosemary extract standardised to carnosic acid; for supplements and cosmetics, rosmarinic acid grades are more common. In the EU it is approved as a food antioxidant (E392), so check the permitted use levels.

Oil-soluble grades work best in oils, fats and snacks, while water-soluble grades suit drinks and sauces. Tell us your application and we will suggest the right grade.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We help food and cosmetic manufacturers find the right rosemary grade for their product, whether they need strong antioxidant action with no flavour, or a full-spectrum herbal extract. We supply bulk quantities, samples for shelf-life trials and private label products, with a certificate of analysis on every batch.

Please share your required grade, quantity, packaging and destination for a quotation on Rosemary Extract.