Bletilla Rhizome Extract Powder

The tuberous rhizome of Bletilla striata, the hyacinth orchid called baiji in Chinese herbal practice, is the only plant part behind this extract. The rhizome is extracted in water, concentrated and dried to a light brown powder. Leaves, flowers and seed capsules of the orchid are not used.

This bletilla rhizome extract is a 10:1 ratio extract with no marker assay and no polysaccharide percentage. The powder is milled to 80 mesh and disperses in water. A bletilla polysaccharide powder is listed as a separate product.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0224 Category: Botanical Extracts Tags: Dry Blends & Premixes, Gummies & Chews, Plant Extracts, Root & Rhizome, Water Dispersible, Water Extracted

Bletilla striata Rhizome Source & Identity

The botanical entity is Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb.f., a terrestrial orchid of the family Orchidaceae, native to East Asia. The part used is the rhizome, which is a flattened, starchy pseudobulb. Leaves, purple flowers and seed capsules are not part of this bletilla rhizome extract.

Other orchid tubers appear on herb lists. Shancigu, from Pleione and Cremastra, is a different tuber, and the salep of Mediterranean cooking comes from terrestrial orchids of other genera. Only Bletilla striata is the baiji of Chinese pharmacopoeial descriptions.

The rhizome is rich in a glucomannan polysaccharide, together with bibenzyl and phenanthrene compounds and starch.

Bletilla Rhizome Extract vs Polysaccharide Powder

Form	What It Is	Choose It When
10:1 Bletilla Rhizome Extract	Water extract of the rhizome, ratio-defined	A whole-extract profile without a marker figure is needed
Bletilla striata Polysaccharide Powder	Polysaccharide-focused powder of the same rhizome	The specification is built around the polysaccharide

The 10:1 ratio measures rhizome going into the bletilla rhizome extract. It is not a polysaccharide assay. Because the glucomannan of bletilla builds a very viscous, mucilaginous solution, the ratio extract is better described as a rheology-active ingredient than as a plain flavour or colour carrier.

The two rows share the plant and the part. The polysaccharide powder is built around the gum fraction, while the ratio extract keeps the full water-soluble profile of the rhizome, including small phenolic compounds as well.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Bletilla striata
Plant Part	Root & Rhizome
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Hyacinth Orchid, Bai Ji
Ingredient Type	Ratio Extract
Extract Ratio	10:1
Appearance	Light Brown powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Dispersible
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

Application Areas

Capsules for a Mucilaginous Extract

Bletilla rhizome extract fills hard capsules after a flow check at 80 mesh. Glucomannan binds water avidly, so the powder cakes in humid air. Fill in a controlled-humidity room, keep the hopper covered, and add a glidant if the powder bridges.

Tablets as a Natural Binder

Gum-bearing extracts can act as binders in tablets, but they also swell in water and slow disintegration. Combine the extract with a disintegrant, compare hardness and disintegration at pressing and after a week of storage, and use a moisture-barrier film coat on the light brown core.

Thickened Drink Sticks

Sticks for warm drinks suit the viscosity that bletilla builds. The extract disperses in water to a tan, noticeably thickened liquid, so a low dose is enough to change mouthfeel. Test viscosity at the planned dose, and let the cup rest, since the gum continues to hydrate.

Powder Sachets

In sachets the bletilla rhizome powder rides in a sugar, maltodextrin or fibre carrier. Sieve bletilla rhizome extract into the carrier before filling, because glucomannan forms swollen lumps when it meets liquid unevenly, and check dose uniformity at the start, middle and end of the run.

Gummy and Jelly Premixes

In gummies and jellies, the gum fraction contributes body. Add the extract to the dry sugar portion before cooking, trial the set in small batches, and recheck texture after a week of storage, because a glucomannan gel continues to firm up as it ages and loses water.

Formulation Notes

Bletilla rhizome extract is a light brown powder with a faint starchy smell and a mild taste. In water it forms a tan, viscous dispersion, because the glucomannan hydrates into a thick mucilage that holds water. At low doses the effect is a smooth mouthfeel, and at high doses the liquid turns gel-like.

Add the powder slowly into vigorously agitated water, or wet it first with a small volume of liquid, since dry clumps swell on the outside and hydrate poorly. For dry mixes, combine the bletilla rhizome powder with a little carrier by sieving and finish in the blender. For bletilla rhizome, squeeze out surplus air before re-closing the liner, and keep the drum off damp floors and away from heat.

Because the viscosity builds with time and temperature, measure it on a rested sample at the serving temperature rather than immediately after mixing. Heat and acid can thin the gum, so check a hot, acidic base separately before the dose is fixed.

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.