Uutetta

Uutetta is the Finnish term for an extract, a concentrated preparation derived from another material by dissolution or separation. In Finnish usage, uutetta refers to substances obtained by extracting active constituents from raw material—most commonly plants, herbs, or fruits—with a solvent. Uutetta are prepared to concentrate desirable compounds, flavors, or fragrances and can take liquid, semi-solid, or dry forms.

Production and types: Most uutetta are produced by solvent extraction, using water, ethanol, methanol, or other solvents, followed by filtration and concentration. Common methods include maceration, percolation, Soxhlet extraction, and modern techniques such as supercritical CO2 extraction. The choice of solvent and method shapes the chemical composition, aroma, taste, and safety of the final product. Uutetta differ from essential oils, which are volatile aromatic constituents obtained by distillation, and from tinctures, which are alcohol-based extracts.

Applications and quality: Uutetta are widely used in herbal medicine, dietary supplements, food flavoring, and cosmetics as sources of active ingredients or aromas. Examples include berry extracts, vanilla extract, and green tea extract. Standardization often targets marker compounds to ensure consistency. In regulated markets, uutetta are assessed for contaminants and residual solvents, and labeling typically includes origin, solvent, and concentration.

Regulation and safety: Because plant-derived uutetta can contain allergens or biologically active compounds, producers follow good manufacturing practices and comply with local and international food and drug regulations. Storage conditions, light exposure, and temperature affect stability, and shelf life varies by extract type.