Nigella Sativa Seed Extract Powder

Nigella Sativa Seed Extract Powder is a concentrated botanical ingredient produced from the mature seeds of Nigella sativa L., a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Commonly known as black seed or black cumin, it is commercially distinct from whole seed powder, cold-pressed black seed oil, and isolated thymoquinone.

Commercial formats include standardized extracts with 5%, 10%, or 20% thymoquinone, together with a 10:1 ratio extract. The 5% grade serves as the primary standardized specification, while higher-assay materials support formulations requiring a more concentrated marker profile. The 10:1 grade uses botanical concentration rather than marker percentage as its specification basis.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0036 Categories: Botanical Extracts, Seed & Bark Extracts Tags: Nigella, Nigella sativa, Quinones, Seed, Thymoquinone

Ingredient Profile & Common Uses

The mature seed of Nigella sativa L. is the botanical raw material for black seed extract. Extraction concentrates selected seed constituents into a dry ingredient and differentiates it from simple milled seed powder. It also has a different composition from black seed oil, which is dominated by the lipid fraction, and from purified thymoquinone, which is a discrete phytochemical rather than a mixed botanical extract.

Two commercial specification systems are used for this ingredient. Standardized grades provide defined marker levels of 5%, 10%, or 20%, supporting formulation around a measurable constituent. The 10:1 extract instead expresses the relationship between starting botanical material and finished extract. These systems describe different product attributes, so a 10:1 ratio should not be interpreted as a 10% active-marker specification.

The dry extract is mainly used in dietary supplements, functional nutrition products, and selected personal-care formulations. Its powder format is suited to concentrated solid-dose systems and multi-botanical blends. Marker-rich grades require additional attention to light exposure and aqueous processing, while the characteristic botanical sensory profile can influence flavor masking and inclusion strategy.

Application Areas

Capsules and Tablets

Standardized extract is suited to capsule and tablet formulations where a defined marker level supports controlled ingredient inclusion and combination with other botanical or nutritional components.

Multi-Botanical Powder Formulas

The powder can be incorporated into botanical complexes, sachets, stick packs, and powdered supplements. Concentrated grades benefit from premixing to improve distribution throughout larger dry blends.

Functional Nutrition Products

The extract fits selected nutrition powders and functional food systems where its botanical flavor is acceptable. Hydrated products require evaluation of dispersion, pH exposure, and light protection.

Personal Care Formulations

Black seed extract is also used in selected cosmetic and personal-care concepts. The dry extract format provides different formulation behavior from black seed oil and requires separate compatibility evaluation.

Typical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	Nigella Sativa Seed Extract Powder
Botanical Name	Nigella sativa L.
Botanical Family	Ranunculaceae
Common Name	Black Seed · Black Cumin
Plant Part	Seed
Ingredient Type	Botanical Seed Extract
Product Form	Dry Extract Powder
Main Marker	Thymoquinone
Standardized Grades	5% · 10% · 20% Thymoquinone
Primary Standardized Grade	5% Thymoquinone
Ratio Extract	10:1
Commercial Specification Systems	Marker Standardization · Extract Ratio
Thymoquinone CAS Number	490-91-5
Thymoquinone Molecular Formula	C10H12O2
Thymoquinone Molecular Weight	164.20 g/mol
Thymoquinone Chemical Class	Substituted 1,4-Benzoquinone

Thymoquinone & Extract Standardization

Thymoquinone is a characteristic constituent of Nigella sativa seed and the principal analytical marker used for standardized black seed extracts. It is a substituted 1,4-benzoquinone with the molecular formula C10H12O2, molecular weight 164.20 g/mol, and CAS number 490-91-5. Chromatographic methods are commonly used to quantify the compound in concentrated botanical materials.

Marker standardization indicates the measured concentration of a defined constituent in the finished extract. Higher-assay grades therefore provide a more concentrated analytical profile and can reduce the amount of extract required to reach a formulation target.

A 10:1 extract describes botanical concentration rather than marker assay and belongs to a separate specification system. High-purity 98% thymoquinone is likewise a different product entity: it is an isolated phytochemical and should not be treated as the highest grade of conventional seed extract powder.

Technical & Quality Considerations

Botanical authentication should establish Nigella sativa L. seed as the source material before extraction. Standardized and ratio extracts should then be evaluated under separate analytical specifications. HPLC is widely used commercially for marker-standardized material, while GC and GC-FID are also used for quantitative analysis. Consistency of analytical method and reporting basis is important when comparing sourcing specifications.

The marker requires particular consideration in liquid or hydrated systems because published stability work shows degradation can occur in aqueous environments and is influenced by pH. Light exposure has an especially strong effect on stability. Processing environment, hydration time, container protection, and finished-product format are therefore more meaningful formulation variables than a simple description of water solubility.

For capsules, tablets, and dry powder systems, R&D teams should evaluate premix strategy, blend uniformity, powder flow, compression compatibility, color, and sensory contribution. Higher-assay grades used at lower inclusion levels require effective distribution through larger blends. Beverage and other hydrated applications additionally require testing for wetting, dispersion, sedimentation, flavor impact, pH exposure, and marker retention during processing and storage.

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.