Dark Purple Antioxidant Helps Organic Farmers Become Community Enterprise Entrepreneurs

Khao Thip Chang Group, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province

Although the name may not sound familiar, “Anthocyanin” is a dark purple antioxidant that is similar to what we think of because it can be found in nature, including berries, purple-black grapes, purple cabbage, purple eggplant, butterfly pea flower, or on the seed coat of dark rice husks. This anthocyanin has properties that help slow down the deterioration of the body, fight inflammation, reduce depression and anxiety, improve vision, and nourish the eyes. It also helps to reduce the risk of various diseases, such as cancer by inhibiting cancer cells and lowering the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, which reduces the risk of heart disease as well.

With these properties, anthocyanin has emerged as a desirable antioxidant in the health-conscious market. Many products containing anthocyanin extracts are available for purchase in foreign countries, similar to the health market in our country, which has seen a growing trend, supporting an aging society with Silver Gen consumers who want to take care of themselves in order to stay healthy.

As a result, the Suthirat Yoovidhya Foundation is assisting the 'Khao Thip Chang Group Community Enterprise, Hang Chat District' with a premium health product innovation project in collaboration with the Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, to produce dark organic rice skin extracts high in Anthocyanin. Encouraging farmers who grow organic rice to extract quality antioxidants creates more opportunities for farmers to become entrepreneurs while also providing consumers with access to health care products produced in the country, which benefits both the grower, the eater, and the environment