“Exotic” Juice Authenticity: Acaí Characterization

TCJJP Annual Meeting

Shannon Cole, PMP

Director of Science Operations, Chemistry & BiochemistryGrocery Manufacturers Association

September 17, 2009 – 123rd AOAC Annual Meeting

Scope/Objectives“Exotic Juices” are at a high risk for

adulteration or of concern for authenticity issues due to their high cost

and reduced availability.

This project will help inform GMA members of emerging issues related to beverages, authenticity and adulteration through

identification of gaps in knowledge, consumer impact, and risk assessments.

Member Survey• Asked our members to choose “exotic juices”

for the study• Acai, Mangosteen, Noni, Kumquat, Goji, Acerola,

Gac, Soursop, Dragon Fruit, Lychee• Survey results of the top three choices

0Mangosteen

1Yumberry

6Acai# Votes

EXOTIC JUICE

Summary of Acai Providers• Out of ten companies contacted, ITI

Tropical’s is the only one that agreed to provide certification of authenticity for their product.

• Sambazon declined to sell acai products directly to GMA, but they referred us to ITI Tropical’s.

• The rest of the companies declined to give any information about their product

• The contact was via email and telephone.

Acaí the “Super Berry” Acaí looks like a giant purple

blueberry and grows on the tops of palm trees in the Amazon Rainforest.

Acaí contains an extensive array of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids compared to other fruit juices or blends on the market today.

What really sets Acaí apart from the berry/fruit products is the antioxidant measure. Studies show that Acai has up to 33 times the antioxidant content as red wine grapes.

Acaí Collaborative StudyTeam Members:

GMA (lead)Campbell Soup Company

Eurofins Scientific, Inc.iTi Tropicals, Inc.

Medallion Labs/General Mills, Inc. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

The Coca Cola CompanyTree Top, Inc.

Analyses for Acaí Study• Routine (pH, Brixo)• Anions• Cations• Sugars• Other Sugars

• Invert sugars, etc.• Acids• Amino Acids

• Polyphenols• Anthocyanins• Color analysis• Flavor analysis• Total dietary fiber• Vitamins• Fat analysis

Acaí Study Outputs• Provide industry with a “snapshot” of authentic

Acaí characteristics• Provide industry with a tool that can be used to

detect economic adulteration of Acaí• Increase awareness about economic

adulteration of exotic juices • Shift from a reactive analytical approach to a

proactive & preventive approach to economic adulteration

Opportunities to Participate• Provide authentic materials or sources of

exotic juices we can use in the next study.• Volunteer to run analytes and participate in

the characterization study.• Share any historical data from past

analytical studies on Acai.• Interested Participants should contact

Shannon Cole• scole@gmaonline.org

What will be Phase II?• Insert preliminary survey II here….

• TCJJP Involvement & Discussion

Discussion

scole@gmaonoline.org

(202) 639-5979