Costus Root Extract Powder

Costus Root Extract Powder is produced from the root of Dolomiaea costus, an Asteraceae species widely traded under the historical names Saussurea lappa, Saussurea costus, Aucklandia lappa, and Aucklandia costus. Also known as costus, kuth, or Mu Xiang, the material is supplied as a concentrated powder for professional ingredient sourcing and formulation.

The primary commercial specification is a 10:1 root extract. Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are characteristic sesquiterpene-lactone constituents used as reference markers when evaluating the chemical profile and identity of the ingredient.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0302 Categories: Botanical Extracts, Root & Rhizome Extracts Tags: Antioxidant Support, Costus Root, Dietary Supplements, Polyphenols, Root

Ingredient Profile & Common Uses

The accepted botanical source is Dolomiaea costus, with Saussurea lappa and Aucklandia lappa remaining important names in ingredient trade and traditional herbal literature. The commercial raw material is the root. This Asteraceae species should not be confused with unrelated plants from the genus Costus in the Costaceae family that may also appear under the general name “costus.”

A 10:1 specification describes the relationship between the starting root material and the resulting concentrated ingredient. It does not represent a 10-fold concentration of costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, or another individual constituent. Ratio extracts therefore differ commercially and analytically from products standardized to a defined marker percentage or from isolated high-purity phytochemicals.

The powdered material is mainly used in concentrated dietary supplements, traditional herbal formulas, and multi-ingredient dry blends. Its characteristic aromatic and bitter sensory profile should be considered when inclusion levels can influence finished-product flavor or odor. Dry formats are generally more straightforward than applications requiring a neutral sensory profile.

Application Areas

Botanical Capsules

The concentrated root material can be incorporated into single-ingredient or multi-component capsules where a lower inclusion volume is preferred to the corresponding quantity of whole-root powder.

Herbal Tablets

The powder is suitable for compressed herbal formulations. Development work should evaluate blend uniformity, flow, compression behavior, and compatibility with binders and other tablet excipients.

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Costus root, also known as Mu Xiang or kuth, can be incorporated into modern preparations based on traditional multi-herb ingredient systems that require a concentrated root format.

Dry Powder Blends

The ingredient can be used in sachets and powdered premixes. Aroma, bitterness, wetting, and dispersion should be evaluated when the finished product is intended for reconstitution.

Typical Specifications

Parameter	Product Information
Product Name	Costus Root Extract Powder
Accepted Botanical Name	Dolomiaea costus
Commercial Botanical Names	Saussurea lappa · Saussurea costus · Aucklandia lappa · Aucklandia costus
Botanical Family	Asteraceae
Plant Part	Root
Common Names	Costus · Kuth · Mu Xiang
Ingredient Type	Botanical root extract
Product Form	Extract powder
Primary Specification	10:1 Extract
Characteristic Chemical Family	Sesquiterpene lactones
Reference Marker Compounds	Costunolide · Dehydrocostus lactone
Reference Analytical Method	HPLC / HPLC-DAD
Reference CAS No.	90106-55-1
EC No.	290-278-1

Key Constituents & Extract Profile

Sesquiterpene lactones form an important part of the chemical fingerprint of costus root. Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are two of the best-characterized constituents and are frequently selected as reference compounds for evaluating the chemical identity and consistency of the root-derived material.

HPLC and HPLC-DAD methods can separate and quantify these characteristic lactones, providing a useful analytical approach for comparison of raw material and finished ingredient profiles. Marker testing is particularly valuable when verifying consistency between sourcing lots or distinguishing a defined botanical material from products carrying only a similar common name.

The marker profile should be interpreted separately from products based on purified costunolide or dehydrocostus lactone. A multi-component root extract retains a broader phytochemical composition and represents a different commercial ingredient category from an isolated phytochemical.

Technical & Quality Considerations

Authentication should confirm the Asteraceae root identity and distinguish it from unrelated Costaceae materials sold under the broader name “costus.” Chromatographic evaluation of characteristic sesquiterpene lactones provides additional chemical evidence alongside botanical documentation and raw-material traceability.

Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone have limited aqueous solubility. Formulations requiring dispersion in water should therefore be evaluated for wetting, suspended solids, sedimentation, flavor impact, and interactions with other ingredients. Clear beverage systems may require a different formulation strategy from capsules, tablets, or dry powders.

For solid-dose development, scale-up should focus on premixing, blend uniformity, powder flow, and consistent distribution within multi-ingredient systems. Because Saussurea costus is listed in CITES Appendix I, international procurement also requires attention to legal source, propagation status, species documentation, and applicable CITES trade documentation.

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.