Method of increasing concentrations of caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides and compositions containing the same

Abstract

A method of increasing the concentration of caffeic acid derivatives, such as cichoric acid, and the concentration of alkylamides, such as tetraene alkylamides, in Echinacea plant postharvest; and a composition, having increased amounts of these phytochemicals per gram of plant material. The method includes the following steps: (1) harvesting a plant having caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides; (2) separating the plant into fragments; and (3) storing the separated fragments in refrigerated conditions at a controlled relative humidity which prevents wilting and microbial decay. The raw plant material obtained from this process can be used alone or in combination with other nutrients in a medicine or dietary supplement.

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