What is the difference between acerola and synthetic ascorbic acid?
Raw materials such as synthetic ascorbic acid are mostly produced from fermented corn syrup, which is genetically modified. Almost 80% of the synthetic ascorbic acid used in dietary supplements is produced in China. Corn syrup does not contain vitamin C. The vitamin is mainly extracted through fermentation.
Acerola is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Acerola extract is a raw material of great interest to the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industry. Furthermore, the 17-30% vitamin C content of acerola cherry extract is conditioning its increasing use in markets where consumers demand clean label products. While acerola extract could be used interchangeably with synthetic ascorbic acid, its high cost and much lower vitamin C content compared to the synthetic product does not allow its use in global food production. The raw material is mainly used in functional foods and the production of dietary supplements. Increased end-consumer awareness and the trend towards healthy eating are increasing interest in this raw material among many health food manufacturers.
