The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of the world's most popular fruits – not only fresh from the field, but also processed as a powder or extract. Its fruity flavor, natural color, and impressive spectrum of bioactive ingredients are a key ingredient in the food and dietary supplement industries.
Botanical classification and distinctive features
Botanically speaking, the strawberry is not a true berry, but rather an aggregate fruit – the small yellow nuts on the surface are the actual fruit. The red "fruit" is a thickened receptacle. This structure ensures a high density of secondary plant substances and makes the strawberry interesting for functional products.
Ingredients and Functional Effects
Strawberries contain numerous valuable ingredients:
- Vitamin C – sometimes higher content than in oranges,
- Folic acid, potassium and manganese – important for cell metabolism and energy balance,
- Polyphenols and Anthocyanins – antioxidant plant compounds with anti-inflammatory potential,
- Ellagic acid – supports cell-protective processes,
- Fisetin - the food richest in fisetin (160 µg per gram of fresh weight), can protect cells.
This composition makes strawberry extracts or strawberry powder popular ingredients in products with antioxidant, immune-boosting, or "beauty-from-within" claims.
Use in dietary supplements and foods
Strawberry powder is produced by drying and gently grinding fresh fruit. It is ideal for
- Flavoring and coloring natural products
- Enriching smoothies, shakes, and bars
- Integrating into combination formulations for skin, the immune system, or general well-being
Strawberry extracts are usually obtained through aqueous-alcoholic extraction and can be standardized for specific ingredients – such as polyphenols. This makes them particularly suitable for dietary supplements with defined active ingredient levels.
Strawberry extracts with fisetin usually contain fisetin from another source (e.g. Rhus succedanea) because you would need 6kg of fresh strawberries alone to get 1g of pure fisetin.
Quality Aspects and Processing
For industrial applications, the quality of the raw materials is particularly important:
- Strawberries from controlled cultivation usually ensure an authentic flavor and high nutrient content.
- Freeze-dried powders best preserve the natural color and vitamins.
- Spray drying offers an economical and storage-stable alternative for large batches.
The choice of processing method depends on the desired application – from premium food to standardized active ingredient blends in the supplement sector.
Did you know?
The strawberry has around 35,000 genes—about 10,000 more than humans.
The modern garden strawberry originated in France in the 18th century from a cross between Chilean and North American wild forms.
Our products
Please contact us if you would like to receive a quote for strawberry powder or strawberry extract.
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Sources
- Arai et al., Biofactors (2000);
- Patel et al., Nutrients (2018)
- Giampieri et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, 2010): Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamins and minerals
- Hannum, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2004
- Seeram et al., Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2006
Disclaimer
For legal reasons, we would like to point out that some of the above statements require further research and studies to scientifically prove them. Therefore, not all statements can currently be accepted by conventional medicine.
The information contained in this article regarding legal regulations, approvals, and possible uses of raw materials is based on careful research and our current state of knowledge (as of July 2025). However, we assume no liability for the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information.
The legal framework for food and food supplements is subject to constant change. Therefore, the manufacturer or distributor is always responsible for checking the applicable regulations, EU regulations, and approval lists for the use of raw materials and health-related claims.
In case of legal uncertainty, we recommend consulting legal experts or the relevant authorities.