Cistanche Extract 1–50% Echinacoside

Cistanche extract is prepared from the fleshy stem of Cistanche deserticola, a leafless root parasite of desert shrubs, and not from the host plant or from other Cistanche species. Ethanol extraction takes up the phenylethanoid glycosides of the stem, and the liquor is dried to a light brown powder.

The grade range is 1–50% echinacoside by HPLC, and the primary grade is the 50% end. The powder is 80 mesh and water soluble. The 1% grade keeps the full glycoside profile of the stem for blended products, while the 50% grade carries the marker at high load for capsules and tablets.

SKU: BOT-STX-0017 Category: Standardized Extracts Tags: Bark & Stem, Cistanche, Ethanol Extracted, Gummies & Chews, Polyphenols, Standardized Extracts

Echinacoside Standardization & Grades

Echinacoside is a phenylethanoid glycoside, a molecule in which a phenylethanol unit and caffeic acid are joined to a chain of sugars. It is the standardization target because it is one of the two main glycosides of the stem and because a pure reference compound allows exact quantitation. The name comes from Echinacea, where the compound was first isolated, and it has no botanical link to Cistanche. The botanical entity is Cistanche deserticola Ma, and the part used is the fleshy stem, which is the cut and dried body of a plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of saxaul shrubs.

Grade	Assay & Method	Where It Fits
1% Echinacoside	HPLC	Broad extract for blends and drink mixes
50% Echinacoside	HPLC	Capsules and tablets with small fill

The range from 1% to 50% is wide, and the two grades behave as different products. The 50% grade is a concentrate that supplies a marker dose from a small fill. The 1% grade is closer to the whole stem: it carries acteoside, other glycosides and the sugars of the plant, so cistanche extract at this level reads as a fuller, mildly sweet powder. A quote for cistanche extract therefore names the tier, not the range, and the figure on the label is the number to compare. The same species is also supplied as a 10:1 ratio extract, the Cistanche Extract Powder, as a milled stem, the Cistanche Powder, and as the purified compound Echinacoside 98%.

Echinacoside Analysis & Purity Risks

Both grades are measured by HPLC against an echinacoside reference standard. The caffeoyl group of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet light strongly, so a UV detector gives a clean peak. The powder is dissolved in an alcohol diluent, filtered and run on a reversed-phase column with gradient elution, so sample preparation is simple and the run is short. A UV total or a colorimetric glycoside figure would add acteoside and every other caffeic acid derivative, and it cannot be converted into an HPLC echinacoside result.

Acteoside, also called verbascoside, is the second major glycoside of the stem and elutes close to echinacoside. The data for this product lists acteoside and total glycosides as secondary markers, and they appear in the chromatogram beside the named peak. Their ratio to echinacoside is a useful fingerprint of the species, because the pattern differs between Cistanche species and between stem and other material.

Both glycosides carry caffeoyl ester groups that hydrolyze under strong acid or alkali. Hydrolysis releases free caffeic acid, which appears as an extra early peak and is a sign of rough processing.

Purity risks are botanical. The pharmacopoeia accepts both Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa, which have similar chemistry, while Cistanche salsa and other species are sometimes found in the trade as substitutes. Only the stem of the cistanche plant is used, and a stated species, a fixed part and a fingerprint are more reliable than a single percentage. Phenylethanoid glycosides are also sensitive to heat, high pH and light, so a low figure can reflect processing history as well as the plant.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Cistanche deserticola
Plant Part	Bark & Stem
Processing	Ethanol Extraction
Compound Class	Polyphenols
Common Name	Cistanche, Desert Cistanche, Rou Cong Rong
Ingredient Type	Standardized Extract
Marker Compound(s)	Echinacoside (phenylethanoid glycoside)
Primary Grade	50% Echinacoside (HPLC)
Available Grades	1% · 50% Echinacoside (HPLC)
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 Compact Capsules

The 50% grade supplies an echinacoside dose from a small fill, which suits capsules and tablets. The water-soluble powder is hygroscopic and darkens with moisture, so fill in a dry room and keep a desiccant in the bottle closure.

50% Grade in Tablet Blends

Tablets of the 50% grade need a dry binder and a moisture-tolerant filler, because the glycoside powder softens compacts as it takes up water. Keep the tablet away from alkaline excipients, which can darken phenylethanoid glycosides, and test hardness after a week in a humid room.

1% Grade in Instant Drink Mixes

The 1% grade dissolves in water to a clear brown liquid with a mild sweet, malty taste. It suits instant beverages and tea-style blends where a larger dose by weight is acceptable and a smooth profile is wanted. Cistanche extract at this level adds little bitterness to a flavored base.

1% Grade in Granule Sachets

Granule sachets take the 1% grade because it adds soluble solids that help the granule bind. Use a light binder spray, since the powder dissolves quickly and can form sticky lumps before the granule has set.

1% Grade in Gummy Premixes

Gummy premixes use the 1% grade, which disperses in warm syrup without grit. Add it after the main cook, and watch the pH of the base, because a high pH darkens the glycosides and changes the color of the finished gel.

50% Grade in Stick Packs

Stick packs carry the 50% grade at a modest fill with a flow agent. Seal the packs in moisture-barrier film, since this hygroscopic powder clumps at the seal and the clumps do not break up easily during dissolution.

Technical & Quality Considerations

The extract is a light brown powder with a mild sweet, malty odor and a slight bitter edge. It is water soluble, and solutions are clear to lightly hazy and brown. Phenylethanoid glycosides are sensitive to heat, high pH and light, and the cistanche extract darkens when it is held hot in an alkaline base. Neutral to mildly acidic systems keep the color and the HPLC pattern more stable.

For production, control humidity in the weighing and filling rooms, because the powder gains water quickly and cakes at the drum rim. Sieve before blending to break up soft lumps, and add a fine flow aid for the 50% grade. Where the powder goes into a dry blend, fold it into a portion of the carrier first so that it disperses without clumping.

Storage stability follows the same logic. Moisture, heat and light all lower the glycoside content over time, so a sealed liner and a cool store keep a lot close to its release figure. A sample kept from each lot and tested again late in shelf life shows how the glycosides of a given process behave.

Dissolve with agitation, since the outer layer of dry powder gels and traps the interior when it is dropped into water without stirring. Keep the drum closed and out of light, and compare each lot with a retained sample for color, odor and the echinacoside and acteoside peaks.

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.