Is phloretin in apples?

When we talk about apples, most people think of the health proverb 'one apple a day, doctors stay away from me', or the vitamins and fiber they are rich in. However, for R&D personnel and market experts in the industry, Apple's value goes far beyond that. In recent years, a compound called "Phloretin" has been moving from behind apples to the forefront.

Apples (Malus plants) are one of the important natural sources of root bark extract. Phloretin is a dihydrochalcone compound belonging to the flavonoid family, known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin penetration-promoting biological activities.

1.1 Distribution of parts: Value hidden in "scraps"

Numerous scientific studies have confirmed that Phloretin and its glycoside derivatives (mainly Phloridzin) are distributed in various parts of apples, but highly concentrated in certain specific areas:

• Peel and pulp: Research data indicate that apple peel is a significant reservoir of Phloretin. According to a comprehensive analysis report, the concentration range of Phloretin in apple peel is 0.06-6.00 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), while the content in fruit flesh is relatively low, at 0.04-1.64 mg/100 g. This indicates that the fruit peels often discarded during apple processing are actually valuable raw materials for extracting Phloretin.[5] 
• Seeds and leaves: Other parts of apples are also rich in these compounds. A study on apple seeds found that two Phloretin derivatives are important components of its polyphenols, with concentrations reaching 0.17 ± 0.01 mg/g and 1.78 ± 0.08 mg/g, respectively.[3] In addition, apple leaves have been proven to be a rich source of Phloretin, and multiple studies have been devoted to optimizing the extraction process of Phloretin from apple leaves.

1.2 Form of existence:

Phloridzin is the product of Phloritin binding to a glucose molecule. In living organisms, Phloretin is converted to Phloridzin through specific glycosyltransferases (such as UGT88F1) catalysis.
For the extraction industry, this means that our target substances may have two options: directly extracting relatively low levels of free Phloretin, or extracting more abundant Phloredzin, and then breaking glycosidic bonds through enzymatic or acid hydrolysis to obtain high-purity Phloretin.

Whether an ingredient can become the "darling" of the industry ultimately depends on its market value and application prospects. Phloretin has shown great potential in this regard.
2.1 Market size and growth
An earlier market analysis data shows that the global Phloretin market size was $5 million in 2018 and is predicted to reach $8 million by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1% during this period.[6] Although this data may appear conservative today, it clearly indicates the robust growth trend of the Phloretin market.
2.2 Core application areas
The commercial value of Phloretin is mainly reflected in the following high-value-added applications:

Cosmetics and skin care: This is currently the most mature and promising application market for Phloretin. Its excellent antioxidant capacity can eliminate free radicals and delay skin aging. At the same time, it can also inhibit tyrosinase activity, having a whitening and lightening effect on spots. What's even more unique is that Phloretin can act as an efficient penetration enhancer, helping other active ingredients better penetrate deep into the skin, making it an ideal choice in high-end skincare formulas.

Functional foods and dietary supplements: Phloretin's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential blood glucose-regulating abilities make it promising for the development of healthy foods for improving metabolism and anti-aging.[7]

For more details about Phloretin and Phlorizin, connect with Serrisha from APPCHEM. (Email: cwj@appchem.cn; +86-138-0919-0407)

Reference
[1]Valorization of Apple Pomace: Production of Phloretin using a Bacterial Cellulose-Immobilized β-Glycosidase. J. M. Costa et al. [2022-10-28]
[2]Polyphenolic compounds in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars grown in Estonia. Karmen Kapp et al. [2022-02-21]
[3]EXTRACTABLE AND NON-EXTRACTABLE POLYPHENOLS FROM PLANTS AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION BY AN INNOVATIVE TRIPLE DETECTOR. Yubin Ding. [2023]
[4]Trends in biochemical, anatomical mechanisms, and molecular aspects in enzymatic browning of apples: a review. Mostafa Z. Sultan et al. [2025-02-20]
[5]Trends in biochemical, anatomical mechanisms, and molecular aspects in enzymatic browning of apples: a review. Mostafa Z. Sultan et al. [2025-02-20]
[6]Global Phloretin Market Report[2019-04-19]
[7]Triterpenes and Phenolic Compounds in Apple Fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.). Yanrong Lv.