Standardised vs ratio extracts, marker compounds by HPLC, heavy metals to USP <232>/<233>, and what the per-batch CoA should actually show.
Buyers often ask us for "high-strength" extracts without naming a marker, and that is where confusion starts. A herbal extract is only as good as the number you can measure and the certificate that backs it. Here is how we read a specification before we quote.
Ratio extract vs standardised extract
A ratio extract such as 10:1 tells you how much raw herb went in per kilo of finished powder, but it guarantees nothing about the active. Two 10:1 ashwagandha lots can differ several-fold in withanolides. A standardised extract is concentrated to a stated marker percentage and verified by HPLC, so you are buying a defined level of the compound that matters rather than a processing ratio.
Typical marker levels we are asked for (indicative; the exact figure is agreed on contract and confirmed on the CoA per batch):
- Curcumin / total curcuminoids: 95%
- Withanolides (ashwagandha root): 1.5% to 10%
- Bacosides (Bacopa monnieri): 20%
- Piperine (black pepper): 95% to 98%
- Gymnemic acid (Gymnema sylvestre): 25%
Why the assay method and plant part matter
A percentage with no method behind it is a marketing line. Insist the marker is quantified by HPLC against a reference standard, and that the plant part is named — ashwagandha root behaves quite differently from leaf-inclusive material, and the withanolide profile shifts accordingly. We work with USP-grade ethanol extraction at our GMP partner facility; we do not own a plant ourselves, so every lot is tied to a named site and a documented process.
What the CoA must show, every batch
A clean marker number is necessary but not sufficient. Each batch should carry a Certificate of Analysis covering safety and purity alongside potency, tested at accredited / NABL labs:
- Marker assay by HPLC, with method referenced
- Heavy metals to USP <232>/<233> (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
- Residual solvents within ICH limits
- Microbial counts: total plate, yeast & mould, pathogens
- Pesticide residues per pharmacopoeial limits
- Loss on drying, identity and organoleptic data
In practice we ship standardised extracts in 25 kg fibre drums with double food-grade liners. Organic-certified material is available on request and quoted separately, as the supply chain and documentation differ. Reference figures here are not finished-product claims; what you may state on a label is your responsibility under local regulation.
Tip: Ask for the CoA and a retained sample from the same batch you are buying, then re-test the marker at your own lab on arrival. A specification you cannot independently confirm is just a promise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 10:1 ratio extract and a standardised extract?
A ratio extract such as 10:1 tells you the concentration from raw herb but guarantees no specific active level; a standardised extract is held to a marker percentage by HPLC. For consistency batch to batch, standardised is the safer specification.
Which markers can you standardise to?
Common ones include curcuminoids 95%, withanolides, bacosides 20%, piperine 95-98% and gymnemic acid 25%, all indicative and confirmed by HPLC per batch. Tell us the marker and percentage you need and we will quote against it.
Do you confirm the plant part used?
Yes, the plant part is stated on the specification and CoA, as it affects both the marker profile and market acceptance. Each batch ships with its own CoA.
How is the extract packed?
Standard packing is 25kg fibre drums with food-grade liners. We can discuss alternative pack sizes for trial quantities.
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