In cosmetics and dietary supplements, plant-based ingredients are valued for their active compounds: polyphenols, terpenes, triterpenoids, and many more. However, botanical raw materials buyers have likely noticed a recurring challenge :  chemical composition of plants can vary from batch to batch, from one harvest to another, and from one collection area to another. Consistency is a real issue. 

Nature’s variability is fascinating but challenging to manage when it comes to manufacturing.

Where do the beneficial properties of plants come from? 

The active compounds behind their effects—called secondary metabolites—are often produced in response to stress as defense and protection mechanisms. Drought in the wild? Pest attacks? Nutrient deficiencies?

Plants trigger a wide range of responses, shaping their phytochemical profiles. 

Environmental conditions, therefore, have a direct and significant impact on plants' chemistry. 

A study published by Cirad (1) some years ago demonstrated that within the same country (Madagascar), the collection area can impact the yield (i.e., the mass harvested per square meter) of Centella asiatica by a factor of 1 to 3. 

In the same study, 17 harvests were analyzed over a period of 3 years, all from the same region (Vohimana). The concentration of triterpenoids (sought in Centella asiatica for their regenerative and antiaging properties) is highly variable, ranging from less than 5% of triterpenoids in the dry matter to over 12%.

How can we continue to use natural, plant-based ingredients while ensuring efficacy, reliability, and consistency for consumers?

At Orius, we offer an answer to this challenge. 

Our plants are cultivated in controlled environments, where we precisely manage essential factors including temperature, humidity, light intensity and spectrum, wind exposure, and nutritional inputs. 

This enables us to establish optimal but also repeatable growing conditions, ensuring stable outcomes across harvests. 

Orius provides a way to secure and guarantee standardized raw materials.

Enhancing Plants from the Inside Out

What sets Orius apart is that we go beyond cultivation; we actively influence plant chemistry.

By exploring the metabolic pathways responsible for producing active compounds, we can:

• Boost the synthesis of targeted molecules. For example, in sage, we achieved a concentration of 4.2% rosmarinic acid, doubling the highest reported levels in the aerial part of the plant (to the best of our knowledge within the scientific literature). See our latest article on sage and rosmarinic acid
• Minimize or eliminate unwanted compounds, such as allergens or toxins. This facilitates cleaner extraction techniques by reducing the need for purification steps.

From Variability to Reliability and Innovation

Thanks to this unique, precision-driven approach, Orius offers:

• Botanical raw materials with consistent, standardized chemical profiles
• Exclusive and optimized chemical compositions, tailored to the specific needs of our clients
• Ingredients grown without pesticides or phytosanitary products
• Year-round availability, independent of season or geography

Reference:

(1) Rahajanirina, V. et al. The Influence of Certain Taxonomic and Environmental Parameters on Biomass Production and Triterpenoid Content in the Leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. from Madagascar. Chem. Biodivers. 9, 298–308 (2012).