Not every elderberry or chokeberry extract is equivalent. Synergy matters.
The immunity supplement market is full of products with “elderberry extract” on the label, with no closer indication of standardization, raw material source or documented effectiveness. For a brand owner planning their own supplement brand, this is a signal that it is worth reaching for an ingredient that provides a real marketing and scientific advantage.
Such an ingredient is FENACTIVE®, a patented complex of standardized chokeberry and elderberry extracts developed by Greenvit, a Polish manufacturer specializing in botanical extracts. It is one of the ingredients that Biveris, as a contract manufacturer of dietary supplements, uses in immune compositions available for implementation under the client’s brand.
What is FENACTIVE® and what sets it apart?
FENACTIVE® is a standardized complex of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extracts in a 2:1 ratio, protected by Polish patent PL245254B1. The key is not the combination of two raw materials itself; the key is synergy.
Combining the two extracts creates an extended anthocyanin profile that cannot be achieved with single ingredients. The complex contains at least 10% anthocyanins and at least 15% polyphenols, standardized using HPLC and UV methods. This ensures a repeatable composition in every batch, which is crucial in contract dietary supplement manufacturing.
Mechanisms of antiviral action: what does science say?
Research conducted at the Virology Laboratory of the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław showed three main mechanisms of the antiviral action of FENACTIVE®:
Blocking virus adhesion
Anthocyanins block the virus’s hemagglutinin (HA), preventing it from attaching to host cells. Without adhesion, the virus cannot enter the cell and start replicating.
Inhibiting replication
FENACTIVE® inhibits the replication of the influenza A/H1N1 virus by 80% at the maximum non-toxic concentration (MNCT). Importantly, this effect was not achieved with single extracts at the same concentrations. This confirms the synergy of the two raw materials and is an advantage that is hard to achieve when commissioning supplement production based on generic ingredients.
Blocking neuraminidase
Neuraminidase is responsible for releasing new virus particles from infected cells. FENACTIVE® showed neuraminidase-inhibiting activity for both influenza and the HCoV-OC43 coronavirus, where replication was reduced by 50% at a selectivity index of SI = 4.6.
Stimulation of the immune system: a synergistic effect
Beyond its direct antiviral action, FENACTIVE® shows immunostimulating activity. Studies on PBMC cells showed a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-α production after incubation with the complex, compared with the control and with single extracts. The immunostimulating effect of the complex is stronger than the effect of the individual extracts used separately.
Why is FENACTIVE® a strong marketing argument for a brand?
From a brand owner’s perspective, FENACTIVE® offers something generic berry extracts do not: a patent, standardization, research conducted at a Polish Academy of Sciences institute and the option of using a registered trademark on the product. It is a concrete, communicable differentiator, especially valuable when a dietary supplement manufacturer operates in the premium market segment.
Consumers increasingly ask “what exactly is in this product and how do we know it works?”. FENACTIVE®, with its patent and research, provides an answer, both in B2C communication on the packaging and in B2B materials for distributors.
Check the immunity supplements category or get in touch through the Supplement Configurator.
FAQ: FENACTIVE® for brand owners
Do I need a license to use the FENACTIVE® name?
FENACTIVE® is a registered trademark of Greenvit. It can only be used on the label after purchasing the complex from an authorized manufacturer. Details are agreed individually.
How does FENACTIVE® differ from a regular elderberry extract?
A standard elderberry extract is a single raw material without guaranteed standardization. FENACTIVE® is a complex of two raw materials in a patented 2:1 ratio, standardized simultaneously for anthocyanins and polyphenols. The synergistic effect is documented by research.
What dose of FENACTIVE® is used in formulations?
The recommended dose is 200–250 mg once a day, in a capsule, tablet or liquid form. This is the range used in research and recommended by the ingredient’s manufacturer.
Is FENACTIVE® suitable for children’s supplements?
Yes. FENACTIVE® is recommended for the general population, including children and seniors. The form and dosage for children should be adapted at the product development stage.
Can I combine FENACTIVE® with vitamin C and zinc?
Yes, and it is a natural combination. FENACTIVE®, as a plant ingredient, complements vitamin C and zinc as ingredients supporting general immunity. Contract dietary supplement manufacturing at Biveris makes it possible to combine these ingredients in one composition.