| Project
Title: |
Market
opportunities in the USA for natural plant extracts |
| RIRDC Project
No.: |
BRA-3A |
| Researcher: |
Mr Brian Chung |
| Organisation: |
Botanical Resources Australia
Pty Ltd
PO Box 852
SANDY BAY TAS 7000 |
| Phone: |
(03) 6224 4511 |
| Fax: |
(03) 6224 4473 |
| Email: |
bchung@botanicalra.com.au |
| Objectives |
· The objective
of this targeted market analysis study was to identify specific opportunities
in the USA for plant extract products capable of being economically produced
and processed in Australia
|
| Background |
Plant extracts are commonly the
volatile aromatic oils contained in the leaves, stems and reproductive
structures. The primary markets for plant extracts are the flavour and
fragrance industries, and medicinal, pharmaceutical and insecticidal outlets.
The USA, Western Europe and Japan are the main consumers of these products
and account for approximately 78% of total world consumption. The forecasted
annual growth for these products is 3.5 to 4% for the next few years. |
| Research |
The research involved the employment
of an experienced USA based marketing consultant to collate and analyse
market information on plant extracts in the USA. From these results, the
experience and knowledge of the consultant and the knowledge of local Australian
capabilities provided by the author, the consultant was able to identify
the most likely opportunities for Australian growers. |
| Outcomes |
This report identified a number
of potential products for production evaluation in Australia based upon
a number of specific criteria’s. These include market considerations, value
adding opportunities, potential for growth, agronomic considerations, important
substitution and favourable environmental climate.
The medicinal herbs segment with total retail sales of
$US 3.866 billion in 1998 was identified as the fastest growing segment
of the plant extract industry in the USA and also as the segment with the
most opportunities for Australian exports. The primary list of opportunities
consists of eight herbs and five products suitable for specific extraction
opportunities. A secondary list of 10 opportunities was also prepared. |
| Implications |
These recommendations are real
opportunities for Australia to export high quality products to the USA
market and there is a role for RIRDC to support the next stage of research
in this field. The preliminary evaluation of the best crop production opportunities
identified in this report warrants support as well as down stream processing
opportunities. |
| Project
Title: |
Developing
Essential Oils of honeydew melon, carrot and spinach for export |
| RIRDC Project
No.: |
DAS-39A |
| Researcher: |
Shirley Sylvia |
| Organisation: |
Primary Industries and Resources
SA
PO Box 411
LOXTON SA 5333 |
| Phone: |
(08) 8595 9100 |
| Fax: |
(08) 8595 9199 |
| Email: |
sylvia.shirley@saugov.sa.gov.au |
| Objectives |
· Identify
the varieties and other production requirements to produce export quality
juice and aroma economically from fresh market overrun or dedicated processing
vegetable crops, to match grower, processor and overseas buyer requirements
|
| Background |
Niche markets for essential oils
of honeydew melon, carrot and spinach exist in Asian markets but buyers
of essential oils differ in their subjective flavour requirements. There
are many measurable but also highly subjective aspects to the aroma of
essential oils, and its precursor juice. Varietal and economic assessment
was required before larger grower contracts could be made for this potential
market. |
| Research |
Essential oils and juice were
evaluated from 48 melon, 57 carrot and 30 spinach varieties, for grower,
processor and buyer requirements, over 2 seasons and 4 commercial and research
sites in South Australia. Each variety was processed and juice and oil
quality parameters assessed against critical limits. Juice and oil, were
subjectively assessed for colour and flavour, and objectively measured
for yield, colour, pH, soluble solids and brix. Oil samples were confidentially
assessed by overseas buyers. Gross margins were developed for each crop,
incorporating the additional oil processing income and its effect on profitability. |
| Outcomes |
Quality oil, subjectively assessed
for aroma, was identified from 9 spinach and 1 carrot variety. Quality
fresh juice, subjectively assessed for flavour and colour, was identified
from 2 melon, 6 carrot and 3 spinach varieties. Melon oil was unable to
be processed due to product deterioration. Oil and juice quality parameters
were developed to assist future selection and processing. Processing income
contributed 55% to the gross margin for melons and 32% for carrots, using
the fresh market overrun, but the breakeven price for hand harvested spinach
was 58% higher than the processing price offered. Hand harvesting and weed
control in spinach contributed 46% to production costs. |
| Implications |
This research has identified desirable
commercial varieties of melon, carrot and spinach for quality juice and/or
oil. Given adequate fresh market overrun for melons and carrots, the research
has shown that oil processing can significantly improve on-farm income,
and that dedicated oil processing spinach crops can be developed by reducing
costs through improved weed control and machine harvesting. Based on current
production, benefits to growers in the Riverland SA region alone could
represent an additional $1.3M. There is now a need for growers and the
oil processor to develop raw product supply networks. |
| Project
Title: |
Continuation
of the development of a natural potato sprout inhibitor from Dill |
| RIRDC Project
No.: |
SCA-2A |
| Researcher: |
Dr Lee Paterson |
| Organisation: |
Serve-Ag Pty Ltd |
| Phone: |
(03) 6233 5522 |
| Fax: |
(03) 6233 6688 |
| Email: |
lpeterson@serve-ag2.com.au |
| Objectives |
· To produce
a commercial product from either dill or Caraway essential oil that can
be trialled in the use of commercial potato storage for sprout suppression.
This process would be achieved by reviewing past agronomy practices used
on these crops, harvesting and distillation, and finally fractionation
of the essential oil from either of these crops
|
| Background |
Consumer focus throughout the
developed world is continuing to change, with increasing emphasis on the
quality of products and limiting the pesticides applied. The pesticide
that is the last in a long chain to be applied on potatoes is CIPC, a sprout
suppressant used for storing potatoes long term. Studies have demonstrated
that the naturally occurring compound (d)-carvone can be used to inhibit
sprout growth during storage.
This compound is found in high levels in the essential
oil of both Caraway and Dill. |
| Research |
The research projects detailed
in this report examine the major historical factors that have lead to poor
oil yields in the past. Factors such as sowing date, weed control and plant
density were examined. Seed loss prior to and during harvest has also been
another area of concern, this study conducted trials whereby existing techniques
were combined and modified. An insight into the extraction process was
also gained by this study. |
| Outcomes |
Firstly of the two target crops
only Dill was a potential commercial source of (d)-carvone.
Secondly the opportunity has been developed to greatly
decrease the risks associated with growing Dill for essential oil through
improved management and harvest practices.
Initial outcomes from the fractionation to a final product
indicated that the concept is feasible but, at this point, costly. |
| Implications |
The existing essential oils industry
in South Eastern Australia has the infrastructure to grow Dill for essential
oil and produce a base product containing 48% (d)-carvone. This would supplement
the distillation facilities presently utilised on predominantly peppermint.
Further study is necessary to improve the recovery upon fractionation of
the oil to produce a commercial potato sprout inhibitor. |
| Project
Title: |
Nitrogen
and water relations in Boronia |
| RIRDC Project
No.: |
UT-5A |
| Researcher: |
Professor Robert Menary |
| Organisation: |
University of Tasmania
School of Agricultural Science
GPO Box 252-54
HOBART TAS 7001 |
| Phone: |
(03) 6226 2723 |
| Fax: |
(03) 6226 7609 |
| Email: |
r.menary@utas.edu.au |
| Objectives |
· To determine
the source and rate of nitrogen which will give high yields of quality
extract
· To obtain canopies
which will meet the requirements of flowering, pest control and mechanical
harvesting
· To establish a predictive
test to implement a reliable management strategy for nitrogen nutrition
· To establish guidelines
for water use in relation to nitrogen nutrition
|
| Background |
Boronia produces an exotic flavour
and perfume extract which has strong appeal for its berry, apricot and
floral characters. It is a high value low volume product which is ideally
suited to the Tasmanian environment. Areas most suited to the production
of boronia are low fertility, acid, sandy soils which support open eucalypt
and heath vegetation. The particular characteristics of the soil pose some
special problems of nitrogen nutrition and water relations which have been
the subject of this investigation |
| Research |
The research emphasis was on field
production and recommendation with close involvement of industry partners |
| Outcomes |
Boronia prefers a balance between
ammonium and nitrate sources of nitrogen. Ammonium nitrate was shown to
be the most effective source compared with calcium nitrate, urea and IBDU
(isobutylidene diurea). The two commercial clones tested did vary in their
response to nitrogen, a maximum yield for clone 250 being achieved at 60
Kg N/ha and clone 5, 15 Kg N/ha. In the latter case, excess nitrogen caused
toxicity symptoms which may be either ammonium toxity or nitrate toxicity
due to reduced nitrate reductase activity associated with molybdenum deficiency.
High levels of nitrogen were shown to increase vegetative
growth and decrease mechanical harvesting efficiency. For example at 80
Kg N/ha on clone 250 only 27% of the crop could be harvested as compared
with 50% at 40 Kg/ha.
A critical level of total nitrogen from September to February
in young leaf tissue was established at 1.5%.
The trial site had plant rows with an east-west orientation.
There was a significant difference in maturity between north and south
facing sides of the plant row. It was estimated that the southern side
of canopies was 7 days later than the north facing side. This accentuated
the poor harvest efficiency as the harvester did not remove small unopened
flower buds.
Evidence from glasshouse trials established that boronia
has resistance to drought. An attempt was made to test this observation
under field conditions. Unfortunately the trial period was associated with
high rainfall and water stress conditions did not prevail during the production
period. |
| Implications |
Controlled nitrogen nutrition
is important in controlling shoot extension and ease of mechanical harvesting.
Tissue analysis for total nitrogen appears to be an effective method of
diagnosis to establish plant requirements for efficient production. While
clones have the same physiological requirement for nitrogen they vary in
their ability to accumulate nitrogen from the soil solution. |
