Wholesome in bulk™ Echinacea Purpurea Extract Powder
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Bulk Echinacea Purpurea Extract for Supplement Manufacturing
Echinacea purpurea extract is a dry powder made from the aerial parts, root, or both of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, the purple coneflower. It is usually standardized to phenolic acids such as cichoric acid, measured by HPLC or UV. We supply it in bulk to supplement brands, contract manufacturers, and formulators.
A farmed botanical with clear identity markers
Echinacea purpurea is grown commercially as a field crop. It has named marker compounds, a USP monograph for the powdered extract, and standard test methods. That makes lot to lot comparison simple for buyers and quality teams.
Named marker compounds
Cichoric acid and caftaric acid are the main phenolic acids in E. purpurea. Alkamides (dodecatetraenoic acid isobutylamides) are a second marker group. Specifications name one or both.
Species identity you can check
E. purpurea contains little or no echinacoside, a compound found in E. angustifolia and E. pallida roots. A fingerprint that shows cichoric acid without echinacoside fits E. purpurea.
A USP monograph to work from
USP publishes a monograph for Powdered Echinacea purpurea Extract. It sets NLT 4.0% total phenols and NLT 0.025% alkamides on a dried basis, which gives buyers a shared reference.
Aerial part or root options
Extracts are made from the flowering tops, the root, or a mix of both. Each part has its own marker profile, so the plant part belongs on the spec and the label.
Fine, free flowing powder
Typical spec sheets call for a brown powder that passes an 80 mesh screen. That suits capsule filling, tableting, and dry blending.
Water and ethanol extraction
Extracts are made with water or with water and ethanol, then dried to a powder. Listings often state a 4:1 native ratio, and the USP range is 2:1 to 8:1.
Where formulators use echinacea purpurea extract
This extract fits measured formats where fill weight and serving size are controlled, including:
- Capsules
- Compressed tablets
- Multiple ingredient botanical blends
- Powdered drink mixes
- Stick packs and sachets
- Chewable tablets, after taste trials
- Gummies, after taste and stability trials
- Private label programs
Plan fill weights from the confirmed assay on each COA. A 4% polyphenol result by UV and a 4% total phenol result by HPLC are different measurements. Recalculate your serving math whenever you change grade or method.
What to check before you buy echinacea extract
Two powders sold as echinacea extract can differ in species, plant part, assay method, and carrier. Review these points together, and ask for lot documents before you approve a supplier.
Species on every document
Confirm Echinacea purpurea on both the specification and the certificate of analysis (COA). E. angustifolia and E. pallida are sold in the same markets and have different marker profiles.
Plant part and share of each
Ask whether the extract comes from aerial parts, root, or both. For a mix, ask for the percentage of each part, since USP labeling calls for it.
Assay method
Ask whether the phenol figure comes from HPLC, which adds up individual phenolic acids, or UV, which gives a broad polyphenol reading. The two methods measure different things, so compare like with like.
Identity beyond one number
Some other plants also contain cichoric acid or echinacoside. A full HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint checked against reference standards tells you more than a single assay value.
Contaminant limits
Check heavy metals by ICP-MS, microbial limits by USP methods, pesticide residues, and residual ethanol. Compare each limit with your own finished product specification.
Cultivated source and origin
Wild echinacea is on the United Plant Savers At-Risk list. Ask for the country of origin and whether the plants were cultivated.
Label math: If your label lists phenols per serving, base the number on each lot's measured assay and your own finished product testing. Name the plant part on the label too, because the marker profile depends on it.
Typical specification for echinacea purpurea extract
These values reflect the common 4% grade and the USP monograph. Final figures come from the specification sheet and COA for your lot. NLT means not less than, and NMT means not more than.
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical source | Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, aerial parts, root, or a mix stated on the COA | HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint |
| Appearance | Fine brown to yellowish brown powder | Visual |
| Total polyphenols | NLT 4.0% | UV |
| Total phenols (caftaric, cichoric, and chlorogenic acids) | NLT 4.0% for an HPLC grade | HPLC |
| Alkamides (dodecatetraenoic acid isobutylamides) | NLT 0.025% | HPLC |
| Echinacoside | Absent or trace | HPLC |
| Extraction solvent | Water and ethanol | Supplier declaration |
| Extract ratio | 4:1 | Supplier declaration |
| Carrier | None, or as named on the specification sheet | Supplier declaration |
| Particle size | NLT 95% through 80 mesh | USP <786> |
| Loss on drying | NMT 5.0% | USP <731> |
| Lead | NMT 2.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic | NMT 2.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium | NMT 1.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Mercury | NMT 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Total aerobic count | NMT 10,000 cfu/g | USP <2021> |
| Yeast and mold | NMT 1,000 cfu/g | USP <2021> |
| E. coli and Salmonella | Negative in 10 g and 25 g | USP <2022> |
| Residual ethanol | NMT 5,000 ppm | GC, USP <467> |
| Shelf life | 24 to 36 months, unopened | Stability data |
Storage and handling for bulk echinacea extract
Botanical extracts keep best when they stay sealed, dry, and out of light. The USP monograph calls for tight, light resistant containers in a cool place.
Keep it sealed
Close the inner liner after each use and press out the air. Spray dried extract powders pick up moisture from the air and can cake when left open.
Store cool and dry
Keep bags off the floor in a dry room, away from heat sources. Follow the temperature range on the spec sheet.
Keep away from light
Leave the powder in its original opaque packaging. Light and heat can shift color and assay over time.
Rotate stock
Record the lot number and retest date for each bag. Send older lots to production first.
Echinacea extract buyer FAQ
Quick answers to the questions procurement and quality teams ask most.
What is the difference between Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia?
They are separate species with different marker profiles. E. purpurea is a field crop used as aerial parts or root, and it contains cichoric acid with little or no echinacoside. E. angustifolia is used as root, and echinacoside is the usual marker for its extracts.
What does 4% polyphenols mean on an echinacea extract?
It means the lot measured at least 4% polyphenols, usually by a UV method. The USP monograph uses HPLC instead and adds up caftaric, cichoric, and chlorogenic acids as total phenols. Check which method your COA uses before you compare prices.
Is echinacea extract made from the root or the aerial parts?
It can be either, or a blend of both. Aerial part extracts come from the flowering tops, and root extracts come from the dried rhizome and roots. The specification should name the part and, for a blend, give the share of each.
How is echinacea species identity confirmed?
Identity is confirmed with an HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint compared against reference standards. For E. purpurea, the pattern shows cichoric and caftaric acids with little or no echinacoside. Pairing two methods gives a stronger answer, because a few other plants share these compounds.
Is bulk echinacea cultivated or wild harvested?
Echinacea purpurea in trade is mostly grown as a crop. Some root from other echinacea species is still collected from the wild, and wild echinacea is on the United Plant Savers At-Risk list. Ask for the origin and growing method of each lot. The country of origin for each lot is provided with your quote.
What documents can I get with an order?
A certificate of analysis (COA) and a specification sheet ship with every order. An allergen statement and a safety data sheet may also be available, depending on the lot in inventory. Contact us to request them.
Can I get a sample before a bulk order?
You can request one by choosing sample options on the quote form. We will confirm availability, size, and timing.
How should I store an opened bag?
Close the liner, press out the air, and keep the bag in a cool, dry place away from light. Use the powder within the shelf life shown on the COA.
Request a quote for bulk echinacea purpurea extract
Tell us your grade, plant part, quantity, and timing. We will reply with current pricing. Select testing documents and sample options on the quote form.
Order Echinacea Purpurea ExtractBulk orders: Choose a pack size above, or use the quote form for larger volumes, testing documents, and sample options. We serve supplement brands, contract manufacturers, product developers, and formulators.
This bulk ingredient is sold for further manufacturing and formulation. The information on this page describes the ingredient and how commercial buyers evaluate it. It is not medical advice. Each finished product brand is responsible for its own labeling and product claims.
