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Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012Show full title

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance)

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E 392 EXTRACTS OF ROSEMARY

SynonymsExtract of rosemary leaf (antioxidant)
DefinitionExtracts of rosemary contain several components, which have been proven to exert antioxidative functions. These components belong mainly to the classes of phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids. Besides the antioxidant compounds, the extracts can also contain triterpenes and organic solvent extractable material specifically defined in the following specification.
Einecs283-291-9
Chemical nameRosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis)
DescriptionRosemary leaf extract antioxidant is prepared by extraction of the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis using a food approved solvent system. Extracts may then be deodorised and decolourised. Extracts may be standardised.
Identification
Reference antioxidative compounds: phenolic diterpenes

Carnosic acid (C20H28O4) and Carnosol (C20H26O4)

(which comprise not less than 90 % of the total phenolic diterpenes)

Reference key volatilesBorneol, Bornyl Acetate, Camphor, 1,8-Cineol, Verbenone
Density> 0,25 g/ml
SolubilityInsoluble in water
Purity
Loss of drying< 5 %
ArsenicNot more than 3 mg/kg
LeadNot more than 2 mg/kg

1 — Extracts of rosemary produced from dried rosemary leaves by acetone extraction.

DescriptionExtracts of rosemary are produced from dried rosemary leaves by acetone extraction, filtration, purification and solvent evaporation, followed by drying and sieving to obtain a fine powder or a liquid.
Identification
Content of reference antioxidative compounds≥ 10 % w/w, expressed as the total of carnosic acid and carnosol
Antioxidant/Volatiles — Ratio

(Total % w/w of carnosic acid and carnosol) ≥ 15

(% w/w of reference key volatiles)*

(* as a percentage of total volatiles in the extract, measured by Gas Chromatography — Mass Spectrometry Detection, ‘GC-MSD’)

Purity
Residual solventsAcetone: Not more than 500 mg/kg

2 — Extracts of rosemary prepared by extraction of dried rosemary leaves by means of supercritical carbon dioxide.

DescriptionExtracts of rosemary produced from dried rosemary leaves extracted by means of supercritical carbon dioxide with a small amount of ethanol as entrainer.
Identification
Content of reference antioxidative compounds≥ 13 % w/w, expressed as the total of carnosic acid and carnosol
Antioxidant/Volatiles – Ratio

(Total % w/w of carnosic acid and carnosol) ≥ 15

(% w/w of reference key volatiles)*

(* as a percentage of total volatiles in the extract, measured by Gas Chromatography — Mass Spectrometry Detection, ‘GC-MSD’)

Purity
Residual solventsEthanol: not more than 2 %

3 — Extracts of rosemary prepared from a deodorised ethanolic extract of rosemary.

DescriptionExtracts of rosemary which are prepared from a deodorised ethanolic extract of rosemary. The extracts may be further purified, for example by treatment with active carbon and/or molecular distillation. The extracts may be suspended in suitable and approved carriers or spray dried.
Identification
Content of reference antioxidative compounds≥ 5 % w/w, expressed as the total of carnosic acid and carnosol
Antioxidant/Volatiles – Ratio

(Total % w/w of carnosic acid and carnosol) ≥ 15

(% w/w of reference key volatiles)*

(* as a percentage of total volatiles in the extract, measured by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry Detection, ‘GC-MSD’)

Purity
Residual solventsEthanol: not more than 500 mg/kg

4 — Extracts of rosemary decolourised and deodorised, obtained by a two-step extraction using hexane and ethanol.

DescriptionExtracts of rosemary which are prepared from a deodorised ethanolic extract of rosemary, undergone a hexane extraction. The extract may be further purified, for example by treatment with active carbon and/or molecular distillation. They may be suspended in suitable and approved carriers or spray dried.
Identification
Content of reference antioxidative compounds≥ 5 % w/w, expressed as the total of carnosic acid and carnosol
Antioxidant/Volatiles – Ratio

(Total % w/w of carnosic acid and carnosol) ≥ 15

(% w/w of reference key volatiles)*

(* as a percentage of total volatiles in the extract, measured by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry Detection, ‘GC-MSD’)

Purity
Residual solvents

Hexane: not more than 25 mg/kg

Ethanol: not more than 500 mg/kg

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