Rosmarinic Acid: A Potent Natural Antioxidant and Antimicrobial from Finetech
As global demand grows for natural, multifunctional bioactive ingredients, Rosmarinic Acid (CAS No. 20283-92-5) stands out as a valuable compound with broad application across the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries. Finetech Industry Limited is proud to offer high-quality, pure Rosmarinic Acid to meet the needs of researchers, manufacturers, and formulation scientists worldwide.
What Is Rosmarinic Acid?
Rosmarinic Acid is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound classified as an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid. This compound is widely found in plants of the Lamiaceae family, especially in Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), as well as in other herbs like sage (Salvia officinalis), basil, lemon balm, and mint.
This compound is best known for its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making it a multifunctional ingredient with proven benefits in health protection and product preservation.
Natural Source: Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a small evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region. In addition to its culinary and ornamental uses, rosemary is a rich source of essential oils and antioxidant compounds, particularly Rosmarinic Acid.
Traditionally used in Western herbal medicine and cuisine, rosemary has been widely cultivated across the world. In China, it was introduced in the 20th century and is now grown in provinces such as Yunnan, Hunan, Sichuan, and Guangxi. Its fresh leaves and flowering tops are harvested for essential oil extraction and herbal preparations.
Chemical Properties of Rosmarinic Acid
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Molecular Formula: C18H16O8
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Molecular Weight: 360.32 g/mol
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Appearance: White to off-white powder
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Solubility: Soluble in polar solvents such as ethanol and water
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Stability: Stable under standard storage conditions
Rosmarinic Acid is a water-soluble phenolic compound with strong radical scavenging activity, making it highly effective in preventing oxidative damage in biological systems and formulations.
Biological Activities and Mechanisms of Action
🛡️ Antioxidant Action
Rosmarinic Acid is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), chelates metal ions, and inhibits lipid peroxidation. In rat liver microsomes, Rosmarinic Acid inhibited lipid peroxidation by up to 90% at 25 μg/ml, showcasing its strong protective effect against oxidative stress.
Its antioxidant activity is attributed to the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups on its aromatic rings, which donate electrons to neutralize free radicals and protect cellular membranes.
🔥 Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Rosmarinic Acid exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by modulating immune responses. It inhibits the classical complement pathway by blocking C3 and C5 convertase activity, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators like prostacyclin.
It also interferes with the activation of T cells and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, making it a promising compound in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
🦠 Antimicrobial Activity
Rosmarinic Acid has been demonstrated to exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It effectively inhibits both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including:
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Staphylococcus aureus
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Escherichia coli
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Bacillus subtilis
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Micrococcus luteus
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Rhizoctonia solani
Its antimicrobial mechanism involves disruption of bacterial cell membranes, leading to leakage of essential biomolecules such as proteins and carbohydrates. It also interferes with bacterial protein synthesis and DNA polymerase activity, thus inhibiting bacterial replication and metabolism.
Studies have shown that Rosmarinic Acid can also suppress the biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans, suggesting potential for use in oral care formulations.
🧠 Neuroprotective and Anticancer Potential
Rosmarinic Acid has shown neuroprotective effects through its ability to inhibit amyloid-β aggregation and reduce oxidative stress in neuronal cells, indicating potential application in Alzheimer’s disease prevention.
In cancer research, Rosmarinic Acid has been shown to inhibit the migration, adhesion, and invasion of colon carcinoma cells and promote apoptosis in certain tumor cell lines. Its potential to suppress tumor metastasis makes it an attractive candidate for future oncological applications.
Applications Across Industries
Thanks to its multifunctional biological properties, Rosmarinic Acid finds wide application in various industries:
✅ Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
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Anti-inflammatory formulations
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Natural immune boosters
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Supplements for cognitive and cardiovascular health
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Natural antimicrobial agents
✅ Cosmetics & Personal Care
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Anti-aging creams and serums
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Skin-soothing lotions for inflammatory skin conditions
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Hair tonics and shampoos
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Natural preservatives in skincare
✅ Food & Beverage
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Natural antioxidant preservative
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Shelf-life extender in meats, oils, and processed foods
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Health-enhancing functional food ingredient
✅ Agriculture & Veterinary
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Plant pathogen inhibitor
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Natural feed additive with antibacterial benefits
Why Choose Finetech’s Rosmarinic Acid?
At Finetech Industry Limited, we are committed to providing high-purity, analytically validated Rosmarinic Acid for a range of applications. We offer:
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✔️ High-quality raw materials sourced from premium rosemary
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✔️ COA, MSDS, HPLC reports available upon request
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✔️ Stable supply for R&D and commercial scale
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✔️ Reliable global shipping and customer support
Whether you are developing new formulations or improving existing products, our Rosmarinic Acid is an ideal ingredient for your innovation pipeline.
Conclusion
Rosmarinic Acid is a naturally derived compound with a robust profile of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial functions. It supports a wide range of health, food, cosmetic, and industrial applications. With increasing consumer preference for natural and clean-label products, Rosmarinic Acid represents a future-ready solution for high-performance formulations.
📩 Contact Finetech today to learn more about our Rosmarinic Acid, request technical documents, or place your bulk order. Let us support your product development with consistent quality and expert service.