Natural Stability for Extruded Snacks, Chips & Nuts
More information
The Growth of the Healthy Snacking Market
The global snack industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, driven by consumers who demand healthier, more convenient, and clean-label options. Products such as extruded snacks, chips, and nuts have become increasingly popular as they combine taste, texture, and nutrition in a portable format.
However, these products face a significant challenge: they are highly prone to oxidation. Exposure to oxygen, light, and high processing temperatures can quickly degrade fats and oils, leading to rancidity, off-flavors, and a substantial reduction in shelf life. For manufacturers aiming to meet consumer expectations, ensuring both quality and stability becomes essential.
The Need for Antioxidants in Snack Formulations
Without proper protection, the natural oils present in snacks and nuts are vulnerable to oxidation. This not only compromises flavor and aroma, but also damages the nutritional value and consumer acceptance of the product. To maintain quality and extend shelf life, the use of antioxidants is a proven and necessary solution.
While synthetic antioxidants have long been used in the food industry, today’s consumer demands are shifting. Clean-label, natural, and organic products require alternatives that align with transparency and sustainability. For this reason, natural antioxidants are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for formulators across the snacking industry.
Why Choose Tocopherol-Based Natural Antioxidants?
Among natural antioxidant options, tocopherols stand out for their efficacy, versatility, and compatibility with a wide range of snack formulations. Derived from vegetable oils, tocopherols are recognized as natural vitamin E compounds that deliver:
- Effective oxidative stability for oils, fats, and finished products
- Preservation of taste, aroma, and texture throughout shelf life
- Nutritional benefits, since tocopherols are associated with vitamin E activity
- Clean-label acceptance, with no compromise on natural positioning
Tocobiol® by Btsa – The Ideal Solution for Snacks
At Btsa, we have developed Tocobiol®, a natural mixed tocopherols concentrate obtained from non-GMO vegetable oils through a unique, sustainable process. Tocobiol® offers unmatched performance in protecting extruded snacks, chips, and nuts from oxidation, ensuring long-lasting stability and consumer satisfaction.
Key benefits of Tocobiol® include:
- Reliable and versatile antioxidant performance across different snack matrices
- Extended shelf life by reducing rancidity and maintaining consistent product quality
- Resistance to high extrusion and frying temperatures, making it suitable for challenging snack processes
- Full compatibility with natural and organic products, aligning with clean-label trends
- Technical expertise and customized studies provided by BTSA’s team of specialists to support your formulations
Case Study: Proven Stability with Tocobiol®
To validate the performance of Tocobiol®, BTSA’s R&D laboratory has conducted extensive application studies in different snack categories. The results confirm the superior antioxidant protection provided by our natural tocopherols solution.
• Chips: the addition of Tocobiol® directly into the frying oil showed a remarkable carry-through effect, significantly improving the oxidative stability of the final fried potato chips. This translated into a longer shelf life and delayed development of rancidity compared to untreated controls.
• Nuts: in trials with almonds and hazelnuts, Tocobiol® effectively stabilized the natural oil fraction, protecting these highly oxidation-prone products. Analytical tests and sensory evaluations demonstrated that Tocobiol® helped to preserve flavor, crunchiness, and nutritional value over extended storage periods.
• Extruded snacks: in the case of a plant-based extruded snack formulated for children, Tocobiol® proved to be highly resistant to the elevated processing temperatures, while ensuring enhanced oxidative protection. This resulted in a product with improved freshness, quality retention, and consumer appeal, meeting the growing demand for healthy and natural kids’ snacks.
These results provide strong evidence that Tocobiol® is the ideal natural antioxidant for a wide range of snack applications, offering both technological performance and alignment with clean-label trends.
Partnering with Btsa for Natural Stability
For over 30 years, Btsa has been a leader in natural antioxidants and vitamin E solutions, supporting food manufacturers worldwide in extending product shelf life while maintaining clean-label positioning. With Tocobiol®, we help you overcome the oxidative challenges of snack production, ensuring your products remain fresh, safe, and naturally appealing.
Contact us today to learn more about Tocobiol® and how Btsa can support your snack innovation.
More information
