We are really pleased to announce our new 2011 analytical capability for a whole range of plant-derived bioactives and natural colours.

Please download our latest A4 flier on new case studies

How many beetroot do you need to eat to reduce your blood pressure? Answer: 3 and a half or 230g.

The opportunity: A leading propagator of soft fruit plants had a supply of waste plant material with no market for it.

The problem: A major UK carrot producer asked MacTavish:West to examine potential for converting waste carrots into higher value products than animal feed. Waste volumes can run into many tonnes per week.

The problem: The major producer (>75% market share) of a particular field-grown vegetable in the UK asked MacTavish:West to recommend the key bioactives of interest, and the factors they could manipulate to improve the flavour and/or healthiness of their produce. We made recommendations to monitor carotenoids in this species, which are linked with visual quality of the produce as well as vitamin A content. Also to vary rates of Nitrogen and Potassium (N and K, respectively).

The problem: The first large-scale producer of cress and other sprouted seeds in the UK asked MacTavish:West to help them improve the nutritional content of their products and to assist with new product development and marketing. The crop range included broccoli, cress, herb, onion and pea sprouts.