Astragalus Extract 20–50% Polysaccharides

Astragalus extract concentrates the soluble polysaccharides of the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus, the huang qi of Chinese practice, and not the leaves, stems or seeds. Water extraction takes up the carbohydrate fraction of the root, and the liquor is dried to a light brown powder.

The grade range is 20–50% polysaccharides by UV-Vis, and the primary grade is the 50% end. The powder is 80 mesh and water soluble. The 20% grade keeps a broader extract profile for drink mixes, while the 50% grade gives a higher carbohydrate load per gram for capsules and sticks.

SKU: BOT-STX-0015 Category: Standardized Extracts Tags: Astragalus, Gummies & Chews, Root & Rhizome, Standardized Extracts, Water Extracted, Water Soluble

Polysaccharide Standardization & Grades

Astragalus polysaccharides are water-soluble carbohydrate polymers, built mainly from glucose with smaller amounts of other sugars. They are the standardization target because water draws them out of the root first, and a polysaccharide percentage is a simple way to describe how concentrated a lot is. In the root they sit beside free sugars, proteins and minor phenolics, so a water extract of astragalus is largely carbohydrate, and the percentage, not the word polysaccharide, defines the product. The botanical entity is Astragalus membranaceus, the part used is the root, and the name huang qi refers to the same drug.

Grade	Assay & Method	Where It Fits
20% Polysaccharides	UV-Vis	Drink mixes and stick packs
50% Polysaccharides	UV-Vis	Capsules and concentrated blends

Grade choice follows carbohydrate load and handling. The 50% grade holds a little over twice the polysaccharide of the 20% grade, so a capsule or stick reaches its target in a smaller fill. The 20% grade keeps more of the smaller sugars and other soluble solids of the root, which gives a milder, slightly sweet powder for drink mixes and is the economical route when fill size is not a concern. Astragalus extract at 50% is the more concentrated route to a given polysaccharide dose, and buyers who compare quotes should read the assay basis along with the percentage. The same root is also supplied for its saponin marker as Astragalus Root Extract 5–20% Astragaloside IV, as a 10:1 ratio extract, the Astragalus Root Extract Powder, and as a milled root, the Astragalus Root Powder.

Polysaccharide Analysis & Purity Risks

Both grades are read by UV-Vis. A polysaccharide assay of this kind is colorimetric: the sample is reacted with a color reagent and the absorbance is read against a sugar standard. The result is total carbohydrate on the stated reference sugar, so it does not count polymer chains, and it cannot be converted into an HPLC figure for a marker such as astragaloside IV.

Sample preparation changes the number. In many laboratories the sample is dissolved in water and the larger polymers are separated from small sugars by an alcohol precipitation step before the reading is taken. When that cleanup is used, free sugars are removed, and when it is skipped they are counted. A figure from one supplier cannot be set beside another until the preparation is known.

Identity rests on more than the percentage. The root also carries astragalosides, calycosin and formononetin, and a fingerprint run beside the assay can show whether root-derived markers are present. A high carbohydrate reading with no such markers points to carbohydrate from another source.

Purity risks follow from the method. A total-carbohydrate reading cannot tell root polysaccharide from added maltodextrin, dextrin or starch hydrolysate. Species identity is the second risk: the genus holds well over two thousand species, some North American ones are known as locoweeds and are not a source of huang qi, and only the dried root of the pharmacopoeial species is used.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Astragalus membranaceus
Plant Part	Root & Rhizome
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Astragalus, Huang Qi
Ingredient Type	Standardized Extract
Marker Compound(s)	Polysaccharides (water-soluble carbohydrate polymers)
Primary Grade	50% Polysaccharides (UV-Vis)
Available Grades	20% · 50% Polysaccharides (UV-Vis)
Appearance	Light Brown powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Soluble
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Applications by Grade

50% Grade for Concentrated Capsules

The 50% grade reaches a polysaccharide target in a small fill, which suits hard capsules of astragalus extract. The powder takes up moisture from room air and cakes, so fill in a dry room and pack with a desiccant to keep the hopper flowing.

20% Grade in Instant Drink Mixes

Instant drinks use the 20% grade because the powder is water soluble and carries a mild, slightly sweet root note. It dissolves into a light brown solution, and the sweetness blends well with citrus, apple or malt flavors. Astragalus dissolves without leaving a sediment, so the drink stays uniform to the last sip.

20% Grade in Granule Sachets

Granulated sachets take the 20% grade, which adds bulk and sugars that help the granule bind. Spray the binder lightly, because the powder dissolves quickly under moisture and can form sticky lumps before the granule sets.

50% Grade in Stick Packs

Stick packs carry the 50% grade at a modest fill, mixed with a flow agent and a fine carrier. Seal the packs in moisture-barrier film, since a hygroscopic carbohydrate powder will clump at the seal if the film lets humidity in.

20% Grade in Gummy Premixes

Gummy premixes accept the 20% grade because the polysaccharides are soluble in the syrup and do not leave grit. Add the powder to the warm syrup before depositing, and check the set, since extra soluble solids can soften the gel.

50% Grade in Tablet Blends

Tablets of the 50% grade need a dry granulation or a direct-compression blend with a moisture-tolerant filler. Hygroscopic carbohydrate softens under humidity, so test hardness after storage and use a barrier-coated tablet or a sealed blister.

Technical & Quality Considerations

The extract is a light brown powder with a faint sweet, bean-like odor. It is water soluble, and the solution is brown and clear to slightly hazy. Carbohydrate powders of this kind take up moisture readily, and the 20% grade, which holds more small sugars, is the stickier of the two. Prolonged heating with amino acids can deepen the color through browning reactions, so avoid long hot holds in protein-containing bases.

For production, control the humidity of the filling and blending room, and keep the powder in a sealed liner between operations. A short sieving step breaks up soft lumps before blending, and a fine flow agent helps the 50% grade pass through hoppers and feeders. Where the powder is dry-blended into a mix, fold it into a portion of the carrier first so that it disperses without clumping.

Dissolution is fast in cold water but slow to complete if the powder is dropped into a large volume without stirring, because the outer layer gels and wraps dry powder inside. Add it with agitation, or pre-blend it with a dry diluent. Moisture barrier is the main packaging requirement for astragalus extract, because the powder gains water faster than it changes color. Astragalus lots that arrive in a drum with a visible crust should be sieved and checked for moisture before use. Compare each lot with a retained sample for color, odor and moisture pickup, and keep the drum closed between uses.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.