What is Carnosic Acid ?

Carnosic acid is a diterpenoid compound isolated from the leaves of the rosemary plant. It is a white or yellowish-white powder that is easily soluble in oils and organic solvents such as ethanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform, but insoluble in water. Carnosic acid is suitable for use as an antioxidant in oil-soluble ingredients. It is used in sauces, pet food, and feed, and has antioxidant and anti-aging properties; it has strong weight loss and lipid-lowering effects; and it has therapeutic and anti-cancer effects on cardiovascular disease.

Rosemary, a herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family, is native to southern Europe and has been introduced and cultivated in Hunan, Guizhou, Hainan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces in my country. It contains a variety of active ingredients, including carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, rosmarinic acid, carnosol, epirosmarinic acid, isorosmarinic acid, and rosmarinodiphenol. Among these are carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and carnosol, which are highly effective antioxidants. Rosemary extract can be divided into two types: oil-soluble (antioxidant) and water-soluble (antioxidant and preservative). The active ingredient of the former is mainly carnosic acid, and the active ingredient of the latter is mainly rosmarinol.

Key Features

(1) Antibacterial effect
Research shows that carnosic acid has different degrees of inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Hansenula, and can be used as a food preservative.

(2) Antioxidant effect
Carnosic acid has good free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects.

(3) Other effects Research findings
Carnosic acid has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HL-60 cells and is expected to become a new drug for the treatment of hematological malignancies, for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and for cancer.

Applications

Meat & Poultry

Inhibit lipid oxidation in sausages and deli meats. Dosage: 0.05-0.1% carnosic acid reduces rancidity by 70%.

Dairy & Alternatives

Shield cheeses and plant-based fats from oxidative breakdown. Water-soluble options for yogurt and beverages.

Bakery & Snacks

Replace BHT in breads and crackers. Heat-stable up to 180°C, with zero flavor alteration at optimal doses.

Fresh Produce

Extend strawberry shelf life by 30% with 0.3% rosemary extract—slashing decay rates by 60% .

Product Parameters