Pacran™

Nature’s clinically proven solution for urinary tract health

Improving quality of life with our science-backed cranberry ingredient

Pacran™ is a unique 100% natural blend of whole cranberry ingredients, standardised and optimised for urinary tract health. Supported by gold-standard science – including two peer-reviewed publications of human clinical studies – it offers proven activity against E.coli adhesion - the leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Pacran™ is a clean-label, cost-effective solution, and its benefits are supported by approved health claims in several countries.
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Benefits

Urinary tract health

Cranberries: A powerful association with urinary tract health

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common outpatient infections¹. They’re particularly likely to affect women – 60% of whom will suffer from a UTI¹ at some point in their lives. Of these, around 20%-40%¹ will suffer from a recurrent UTI (two or more occurrences within six months, or three within a year). Given the uncomfortable symptoms of UTIs and their negative impact on quality of life, including recurrence and the need to take antibiotics, there’s increasing demand for natural, effective solutions for a healthy urinary tract. Cranberry is the most familiar solution for consumers; 63% associate it with women’s health², and 49% link it with urinary tract health³.

Clinically proven urinary tract health benefits

supported by gold-standard science

Approved health claims

in a number of countries including the US and Canada

Demonstrated to reduce E. coli adhesion

in an ex vivo assay within 24hrs⁴

All-natural, clean-label

whole-fruit formulation from cranberries

Low cost

in use compared to 36 mg of PACs from cranberry extracts.

Want to know more about OatWell™'s unique characteristics?

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The science behind

Pacran™

Pacran™: purpose built for urinary tract health

E. coli is the leading cause of UTIs⁵. Cranberry consumption has been shown to reduce the adhesion of E. coli to the walls of the urinary tract, reducing the risk of urinary tract infection.⁵

Competitive cranberry ingredients are designed to deliver the maximum amount of a class of phytoactives largely unique to cranberries called A-type Proanthocyanidins (PACs). Much of the research on cranberry’s anti-adhesion mechanism has focused on PACs. In 2004, the French Food Safety Authority published a health claim based on cranberries’ unique PAC content⁶. Since then, however, the focus has shifted to emphasise the whole range of cranberries’ impact on anti-adhesion activity – not just their PAC content.⁴ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ Pacran™ was purpose built to support urinary tract health. Pacran™ focuses on delivering activity and efficacy, while alternative cranberry ingredients focus on delivering the maximum amount of PACs. To prove its efficacy, 500 mg of Pacran™ was used in a range of human clinical studies, which demonstrated its strong activity and clinical effectiveness. ⁴ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰

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Pacran™

responsible sourcing

Cranberry with full traceability to farm level

The cranberries for Pacran™ are grown and harvested sustainably, in accordance with the principles of our Sourcing4Good programme, which promotes responsible practices across our supply chains, while improving both producer livelihoods and the environmental footprints of our products. They are fully traceable to farm level. 

Our cranberry suppliers are committed to our responsible sourcing practices, and we work closely with them to support you throughout your sustainability journey. Together we to continue to enhance our environmental and agricultural practices throughout the value chain.

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Cranberry: From New England bogs to cutting-edge science

Traditional use

Cranberries, a perennial crop native to North America that thrive in wetland environments. They have a rich history of cultivation in bogs, with some vines growing for 100 years. For generations, cranberries have been highly valued by Native American communities for their traditional properties, and in particular to support bladder and kidney health.¹⁸

Why formulate

with

Pacran™

?

Pacran™ is suitable for a wide range of nutraceutical applications including capsules, tablets, sachets, and gummies.
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FAQs

1. What separates Pacran™ from other cranberry products?
2. What is the Proanthocyanidin content of Pacran™?
3. How does Pacran™ stack up to more PAC-rich extracts?

We would love to hear from you!

If you have a specific product in mind or are curious about how we can assist in your innovation journey, please don't hesitate to get in touch
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References

Pacran™

The natural adaptogen backed by science

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The science behind Pacran™

The clinically proven cranberry ingredient

Pacran™ provides clinically proven health benefits for the urinary tract supported by gold-standard science. The benefits of Pacran™ are backed by a body of high-quality research, including two peer-reviewed publications of human clinical studies.

4
health claims worldwide¹³⁻¹⁶
58%
relative risk reduction in UTIs over 6 months¹²

Reduction of E. coli adhesion activity

Pacran’s™ reduction of E.coli adhesion activity was established in multiple ex vivo studies.⁴ ⁶⁻¹⁰ A clinical study demonstrated that Pacran™ has the ability to lower urinary E. coli load, which is one of the mechanisms of action to reduce symptoms in women with active UTIs.¹¹

Women with a history of urinary tract infections

One clinical study looked specifically at women with a history of urinary tract infections. Among those who consumed Pacran™ for six months, there was a reduction in UTI incidence, longer time to first UTI, and reduced average number of UTIs compared to those who were given a placebo.¹² This study demonstrates that daily Pacran™ consumption may provide relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of UTI such as; dysuria (painful or difficult urination), urinary frequency and urinary urgency.¹²

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As powerful as ‘PAC-heavy’ alternatives

Many competitive cranberry ingredients are built to deliver the maximum amount of cranberry-PACs. These ingredients are quite expensive on a dosage basis as they require multi-stage extraction processes and a costly biomass for extraction. Pacran™ has been shown in an ex vivo study to deliver an E. coli reduction of adhesion activity, similar to cranberry extracts with 20 times more PACs in the short term (0-9 hours) and superior in the longer term (9-36 hours).¹⁷ These data suggest cranberry based urinary tract health isn’t just about PACs but rather about delivering the right blend of the whole cranberry Pacran™.¹⁷

Just 500 mg per day of Pacran™ has been shown to be sufficient to achieve a positive effect. Furthermore, it delivers similar reduction of adhesion activity to alternatives with a PAC content 20 times higher.

This ex vivo research also shows that Pacran’s™ reduction of adhesion activity acts rapidly, reaching significance in nine hours, and peaking at 24 hours after consumption.¹⁷

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Health claims in four countries

The strength of the scientific evidence for Pacran™’s benefits has led to multiple health claims in four countries:

South Korea

2009: Pacran™ was awarded the country’s first-ever health claim for a branded cranberry ingredient with the claim: “May help to maintain urinary tract health by preventing urinary tract infection.” ¹³

Canada

2014: Health Canada granted Pacran™ a National Product Number authorising claims including “Helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women or used in Herbal Medicine to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).” ¹⁴

Colombia

2015: The Colombian authorities granted Pacran™ the claim: “Helps in the management of recurrent UTI.” ¹⁵

USA

2020: the US FDA published a Qualified Health Claim stating the benefits of whole cranberry powder consumption in reducing risk of UTI in healthy women. Our peer-reviewed publication on Pacran™ (Vostalova et al) was one of only three studies supporting the claim and was classed by the FDA as being of high methodological quality.¹⁶

References

Pacran™ Responsible Sourcing

Driving impacts across the value chain

As part of our commitment to source all materials and services in a way that protects people and the environment by 2030, we work with our cranberry suppliers to ensure trust and compliance across our entire supply chain. We’ve been sourcing cranberry for more than two decades. Along the way, we’ve built strong relationships with partners across the states of Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts states and Canada (Quebec). Together we’re committed to continually improving our sustainability practices.

‘’We source 100% traceable and sustainable cranberries thanks to our long term partnerships with our growers.’’

Kellie Apap,
Global Category Buyer NOAM

Our Commitment

A diverse habitat for wildlife

The environment where our cranberry grows provides a diverse habitat for numerous animal and plant species. And for every acre of our cranberry production, an average of six acres of support land remains undeveloped to support the hydrological needs of the vines.

Enhanced cranberry varieties

We are working closely with our growing partners to provide the best cranberry varieties on the market. Our partners are reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers and increasing the yield per acre in order to limit the expansion of cultivated areas.

Responsible water management

Our cranberries grow in dry fields called bogs. In winter – to protect the vines from the elements – our growing partners flood the bogs, and a layer of ice forms. Then in spring, new buds emerge, and the growing season begins in earnest. Throughout the growing season, the farmers recycle water as much as possible and re-use it from bog to bog – or even from farm to farm – before returning it to nature.

Working in partnership with our growers

For decades, our cranberry suppliers have organised growers' associations and co-operatives, which are involved in all governance issues, including sustainability. We have also engaged into long-term agreements with selected partners to offer them a secure and fair-priced outlet for their crop volumes for the years to come. These long-term partnerships enable us to work with our growers to continually improve quality and agricultural practices in order to reach best-in-class sustainable ways of working.

By working together, we ensure all our suppliers share our commitment to responsible sourcing. So you benefit not only from high-quality products, but the knowledge that we are driving tangible impacts across our value chains.

For decades, our cranberry suppliers have organised growers' associations and co-operatives, which are involved in all governance issues, including sustainability. We have also engaged into long-term agreements with selected partners to offer them a secure and fair-priced outlet for their crop volumes for the years to come. These long-term partnerships enable us to work with our growers to continually improve quality and agricultural practices in order to reach best-in-class sustainable ways of working.

By working together, we ensure all our suppliers share our commitment to responsible sourcing. So you benefit not only from high-quality products, but the knowledge that we are driving tangible impacts across our value chains.

Why Givaudan?
Botanical expertise
Explore our trusted, natural ingredients–sustainably sourced with rigorous quality control.
Science & technology
Innovate with our science-backed ingredients with proven health, wellbeing and nutritional benefits.
Enjoyable food experiences
Create unique products with the right taste, colour, texture and functional ingredients.
The latest consumer insights
Transform consumer needs into outstanding products.
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References

Enhanced nutrition in any application

OatWell™ offers multiple functional benefits for food formulations, making it a versatile ingredient and allowing for fibre fortification in many applications, including bread, crackers, pastas, sweet baked goods and extruded snacks.

OatWell™ behaves as a natural stabiliser/emulsifier, making it an ideal ingredient for clean label strategies, while its high viscosity can deliver thickening properties. In applications such as bakery or processed meats, it exhibits water binding capacities, which hold potential for fat reduction. For classic applications, such as crackers and cereals, it can add a satisfying crisp.
11.4g
of OatWell™ BG28 delivers: 3g of oat beta glucan, 5.6g of dietary fibre and only 32Kcal

Designed for your formulation needs

The Oatwell™ range offers varying levels of total dietary fibre, oat beta-glucan and protein content, as well as different particle sizes. Its unique characteristics make it easy to incorporate in application while meeting taste and nutritional targets for a truly enjoyable consumer experience.

Baked goods

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding capacity and moisture retention help extend shelf life
  • Can be mixed in binder syrup to provide thickness
  • High viscosity delivers thickening properties and texture
  • Enables some fat reduction in cakes
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Extruded cereals / Snacks

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Excellent format to deliver high content of oat beta-glucan and fibre
  • Good expansion properties
  • Lighter, aerated and crispy texture
  • No colour impact
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Pasta

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding
  • Comparable texture to regular pasta
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

RTM Powders

  • Free flowing and easy to blend
  • Good dispersion
  • Can deliver added mouthfeel
  • Texture may add to perception of satiety
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

A little product for a lot of nutrition

Our OatWell™ Bran BG28 has over 50% total fibre and 28% beta-glucan. This beta-glucan is a powerful fibre and can help achieve different health claims around the globe. For example in the US, using the heart health claim requires delivering 3g of beta-glucan/day. 

Unique properties to deliver unmatched benefits from oats

For over 30 years, OatWell™ has been researched to develop innovative oat products. Much of our work has focused on proving the health benefits of oat beta-glucans in order to deliver premium value to our customers.

A unique nutritional profile

Generally considered healthier and more nutritious than the other main cereals, oats offer a full range of benefits in a single ingredient. OatWell™ can be provided in three different concentrations of beta-glucans, all delivering both soluble and insoluble fibres, along with an average of 21% - 23% protein.

A proprietary production process

OatWell™ uses a unique production process to fractionate the oat kernel into three product lines: beta-glucan products, oat flours, and oat oils. Our production process preserves the native structure of oat beta-glucans, retaining their high molecular weight during fractionation into oat brans with a high amount of beta-glucans.

The importance of high molecular weight

The molecular weight of oat beta-glucan is essential to delivering health benefits. OatWell™'s beta-glucan has a very high molecular weight (2000-2500 kDa as naturally found in oats), which contributes to its unique viscosity and thickening properties. This viscosity has an important impact on physiological functions, such as reducing blood cholesterol levels, moderating blood glucose and insulin levels, and potentially benefiting satiety.

Benefits of OatWell’s high molecular weight:

  • Ability to effectively reduce cholesterol and maintain healthy blood sugar levels compared to low molecular weight alternatives
  • High viscosity – thickening properties
  • Excellent water-binding properties
  • Potential to replace fat in product formulations

Unlocking the potential of dietary fibres and oat beta-glucan

Dietary fibre is an essential part of a healthy diet, promoting digestive health and providing a range of benefits that can help maintain overall wellbeing. Found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, dietary fibres are carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the body.

Nutrition Facts Label: FDA definition of “dietary fibre”

"non-digestible soluble and insoluble carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units), and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants; isolated or synthetic non-digestible carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units) determined by FDA to have physiological effects that are beneficial to human health."⁸

Soluble Fibers

Soluble fibres are dispersible in water. Fibres with high molecular weight, such as OatWell™, transform into a gel-like substance as they move through the digestive tract, where they are fermented by beneficial bacteria.⁹ This type of fibre is known to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad cholesterol)¹⁰, and manage blood glucose levels⁷ making it particularly beneficial for those concerned with heart health and healthy blood glucose. When soluble fibre, such as that found in Oatwell™, is digested by beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, it acts as a prebiotic.¹¹ As a result of digestion, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are released in the colon and serve as a nutrition source for the colon’s own cells.

Oat beta-glucans

One exceptional soluble fibre is beta-glucan, a natural, indigestible polysaccharide found in oats, barley, yeast, bacteria, algae, and mushrooms. Oats are particularly rich in beta-glucan, with concentrations ranging from 3-5% depending on the variety. Oat bran, produced by removing the starchy content of the grain, contains the highest concentration of beta-glucan, offering numerous health benefits for cardiovascular health⁵ ⁶, glycaemic response⁷ and the gut microbiome.⁴

Insoluble fibres

Insoluble fibres, on the other hand, do not dissolve in water as they pass through the digestive system. They help promote regular bowel movements, helping the stool pass more quickly through the intestines, which studies indicate is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.¹² By delivering both insoluble and soluble dietary fibres, including beta-glucans,¹³  OatWell™ helps meet consumer expectations for nutritious and delightful food experiences while promoting overall wellbeing. Embrace the power of these natural ingredients to create food experiences that truly resonate with today's health-conscious consumers.

Prebiotic support for the gut microbiome

Oat fibre contributes to improved gut health by increasing faecal bulk, but there’s more to the story. OatWell™ oat bran fibre has prebiotic effects, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate, which have been associated with anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties.²⁰

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilised by host microorganisms that confer a health benefit. Simply put, they are food for beneficial microbes that live in the human gut. These microbes can produce short chain fatty acids, which are considered beneficial compounds. Most prebiotics are dietary fibres, but not all dietary fibres are prebiotics. Many prebiotic fibres are soluble and some are insoluble.¹¹

The prebiotic effects of oat bran fibre have been validated through years of research. In a review by Malkki and Virtanen, they cite: “in the large bowel, soluble dietary fibre increases the fermentation activity, especially production of butyric acid, enhances growth and colonisation of some probiotic bacterial strains, increases production of microbial mass and thereby aids the removal of nitrogen via faeces. It also increases wet weight of stools, thereby alleviating constipation”.²¹

Research conducted on oat beta-glucan demonstrates that it meets three important criteria, confirming its status as a prebiotic fibre:¹ ²

  • helps produce Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): acetate, propionate and butyrate³
  • increases lactic acid as well as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli³
  • increases faecal bulk and promotes proper gut function⁴
By nurturing the gut microbiome, OatWell™ is an ideal ally for creating healthy and delightful food experiences that optimize wellbeing from within.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information. Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states. The information provided may or may not be applicable to, or satisfy, all regulatory requirements for all global regions. Specific regulatory requirements must be evaluated to ensure compliance within the individual countries and regions.

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