Blue California, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, a manufacturer of purified natural ingredients and flavor compounds for use in food products, is increasing its production capacity of ferulic acid (FA) from rice bran to 500 metric tons by 2018.
 
Ferulic acid (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, FA) is a ubiquitous phytochemical present in cell walls and found in foods such as rice, wheat, oats, seeds, beans, nuts, corn, etc. FA is an antioxidant that can be used in dietary supplements to combat free radicals and oxidative stress, in cosmetics and topical creams for UV protection, in food products as a potential natural preservative and in other commercial uses that include pharmaceutical products.
 
Cecilia McCollum, Blue California’s executive vice president stated, “Our production capacity was no longer sufficient for the growing demand for natural ferulic acid so this increase will create new commercial opportunities for our business partners and will benefit consumers as well.” Availability of natural ferulic acid is limited while demand for this antioxidant is growing, she suggested. “We are doing our part in helping our customers deliver the natural products consumers want.”