Blackcurrants are well known in Northern Europe and Canada and are quite common in the wild in northern and central Russia. They are commonly used in cooking and as a vitamin supplement. The CO2 extract is not produced from the fruits, but from dry leaves of blackcurrant collected during the budding phase. This extract has a number of beneficial properties that are not typical of black currants. A significant part of the natural compounds that make up the medicinal and taste properties of blackcurrant leaves are fat-soluble (lipophilic in nature) and therefore the CO2 extract of the leaves can be considered a liquid concentrate of the leaves.
In official medicine, black currant leaves are recommended as a diuretic, disinfectant and diaphoretic. CO2 extract can be recommended for use in urolithiasis, pyelonephritis and cystitis. In folk medicine, various extracts and infusions of black currant leaves, including in oil, which is a close analogue of CO2 extract, were used to normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, blood to cleanse of toxins and normalize blood pressure. Such extracts have a positive effect on liver and kidney function. The extract helps improve immunity and is excellent for fighting colds and viral infections.
In cooking and food production, currant leaves are primarily used as a flavor additive. It should be noted that CO2 extract from leaves contains almost all the compounds that make up the smell of these leaves and therefore can be recommended for use in the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as various confectionery products. It should be noted that the aroma of blackcurrant leaf CO2 extract has the unique property of completely displacing odors created by synthetic aromas from products. The synthetic analogue with a similar aroma does not have this property.
Biozevtika CO2 blackcurrant leaf extract is an oily liquid of greenish-yellow or greenish-brown color with a musky-floral characteristic odor.
Main components of blackcurrant leaf CO2 extract
| NAME | CONTENT IN % OF TOTAL VOLATILATESCOMPONENTS | FUNCTION |
| Quercetin | 4 | Vitamin P component, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral, strengthens the walls of blood vessels |
| Kaempferol | 6 | Reduces the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system, antidiabetic, powerful antioxidant, reduces the accumulation of the aging enzyme lipofuscin, anticancer |
| Linalool | 1,2 | Anti-stress, calming, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Flavorings in foods |
| Geraniol | 0,9 | Industry and cosmetics |
| Benzaldehyde | 0,9 | Anthelmintic, repellent, embryotoxic |
| Methyl salicylate | 1,4 | Anesthetic, antiseptic, antitumoral, antispasmodic |
| Myricetin | 1,0 | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, normalizes increased capillary permeability |
| Umbelliferous plants | 0,8 | Antioxidant, antitumor, hypoglycemic, psychotropic, diuretic |
| Alpha carotene | 2,2 | Calms the central nervous system, has a fungicidal, bactericidal, antispasmodic effect |
| Epicahetine | 0,7 | Provitamin A. reduces skin sensitivity to light, has an antioxidant effect, prevents muscular dystrophy, reproductive disorders in men, skin diseases, psoriasis and peripheral vascular spasms |
| Alpha-linoleic acid | 3,6 | Omega-3 acid. reduces the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, thrombosis and high blood pressure. Combats the appearance of flaky skin inflammation. Retinal pathologies |
| Gamma-linoleic acid | 2,6 | Omega-6 acid. Helps lower blood cholesterol levels. Supports skin health, helps fight obesity and diabetes complications |
| Linoleic acid | 4,1 | Omega-6 acid. Reduces the risk of occurrence and development of hypertension, and also helps fight obesity. Should be avoided if you have diabetes |
In cosmetics, CO2 extract of black currant leaves is used in the following preparations:
– Creams for skin rejuvenation, moisturizing and eliminating irritation
– Creams to combat fine wrinkles, stretch marks and scars, including post-operative scars
– Creams and tonics for skin care around the eyes to remove fine wrinkles and dark circles and increase the elasticity and tone of the skin
– Nail care creams that strengthen and nourish the nail plates and heal small cracks and wounds around the nail. Regenerates the skin of the hands and combats age-related pigmentation
– Foot care creams with a deodorizing effect that are intended to soften calluses and corns
– Creams for quick tanning without the risk of burns
– Masks against irritation and itching of the scalp and dandruff
