Wholesome in bulk™ Green Tea Leaf Extract Powder, 50% EGCG
Bulk ingredient prices vary with supply and order size. Please complete the quote request form with the ingredient, package size, and quantity you need. We'll email you a current quote.
Explore our bottled supplements
Bulk Green Tea Leaf Extract, 50% EGCG, for Supplement Manufacturing
Green tea extract is a yellow brown powder made from the unfermented leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. It is standardized to catechins, and this grade carries 50% epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), usually measured by HPLC. We supply it in bulk to supplement brands, contract manufacturers, and formulators. You can request testing documents and samples on the quote form.
A leaf extract you can specify by catechin profile, caffeine, and method
Green tea extract is one of the most widely traded botanical extracts. Buyers can define it by EGCG, total catechins, and caffeine, each with a named method. That makes supplier comparison and lot approval easier.
EGCG as the main marker
Most of the polyphenols in green tea are catechins, and EGCG is the most abundant of them. A 50% EGCG grade sets a minimum for this one compound, measured by HPLC.
Three numbers on one COA
Total polyphenols, total catechins, and EGCG are different measures. Polyphenols are often measured by a UV colorimetric method, while catechins and EGCG are measured by HPLC.
A wide range of grades
Extracts are traded from about 45% to 98% EGCG and from 40% to 98% total polyphenols. The 50% EGCG grade is a common middle point for capsules and tablets.
Caffeine you can specify
Tea leaf contains caffeine, and standard extracts carry some of it. Decaffeinated grades are also traded, so state your caffeine limit in the purchase specification.
Unfermented leaf
Green tea is made from leaves that are not fermented, which keeps the catechins from oxidizing. Black tea comes from the same plant but has a different profile after fermentation.
Known physical profile
Expect a yellow brown to tan fine powder with an astringent, slightly bitter taste. It dissolves readily in water, so it suits drink mixes as well as capsules and tablets.
Where formulators use green tea extract
This extract fits measured formats where fill weight and serving size are controlled, including:
- Capsules
- Compressed tablets
- Single ingredient powders
- Multiple ingredient botanical blends
- Powdered drink mixes, after taste trials
- Stick packs and sachets
- Ready to mix beverage powders
- Private label programs
Plan fill weights from the EGCG and caffeine results on each COA. A 50% and a 90% EGCG grade are not interchangeable gram for gram, and standard and decaffeinated grades differ in caffeine. Recalculate your serving math whenever you change grade.
What to check before you buy green tea extract
Extracts sold under the same grade can differ in method, caffeine, solvent, and contaminant limits. Review these points together, and ask for lot documents before you approve a supplier.
EGCG by HPLC
Confirm that the 50% figure is EGCG by HPLC, not total polyphenols by a UV method. The two numbers can look alike on a sales sheet and mean very different things.
Catechins and caffeine
Ask for total catechins and caffeine on the certificate of analysis (COA). Standard grades commonly carry 2 to 5% caffeine, while decaffeinated grades run under 2%.
Solvent and residues
Confirm the extraction solvent, such as water or ethanol and water, and ask for residual solvent results under USP <467>. For decaffeinated grades, ask how the caffeine was removed.
Tea contaminants
Ask for heavy metals by ICP-MS, pesticide residues, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pyrrolizidine alkaloid results are also worth requesting for tea extracts.
Origin
Ask for the country of origin and the leaf source. Suppliers name China as the main origin, with India, Japan, and Korea also in the trade.
Export label rules
If your finished product will be sold in the EU, check Regulation (EU) 2022/2340 before you set a serving. It sets EGCG and labeling conditions for green tea extracts in foods and food supplements.
Label math: If your label lists EGCG or caffeine per serving, base the numbers on each lot's measured results and your own finished product testing. A stated grade is a minimum, so the measured value on the COA is the figure to work from.
Typical specification for green tea extract, 50% EGCG
These values reflect a common 50% EGCG grade. 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 | Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, leaf | HPTLC fingerprint |
| Appearance | Yellow brown fine powder | Visual |
| EGCG | NLT 50.0% | HPLC |
| Total catechins | NLT 75% | HPLC (ISO 14502-2) |
| Total polyphenols | Reported on the COA | UV, Folin-Ciocalteu (ISO 14502-1) |
| Caffeine | 2 to 5% standard, or NMT 2% decaffeinated | HPLC |
| Extraction solvent | Water, or ethanol and water | Supplier declaration |
| Residual solvents | Meets USP <467> | Headspace GC |
| Particle size | NLT 95% through 80 mesh | USP <786> |
| Loss on drying | NMT 5.0% | USP <731> |
| Lead | NMT 3.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic | NMT 2.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium and mercury | NMT 1.0 ppm and NMT 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| PAHs | PAH4 NMT 50 ppb; benzo(a)pyrene NMT 10 ppb | GC-MS |
| Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Reported on the COA | LC-MS/MS |
| Total aerobic count | NMT 1,000 cfu/g | USP <2021> |
| Yeast and mold | NMT 100 cfu/g | USP <2021> |
| E. coli and Salmonella | Negative in 10 g and 25 g | USP <2022> |
| Pesticide residues | Meets USP <561> | GC-MS and LC-MS |
| Shelf life | 24 months, unopened | Stability data |
Quality standards for green tea extract
Green tea extract has a USP monograph for the decaffeinated powdered form, and ISO methods define how tea catechins are measured. These give buyers a shared basis for identity, assay, and caffeine.
USP Powdered Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract
The USP monograph covers extract from the young, unfermented leaves and leaf buds of Camellia sinensis. Allowed solvents are alcohol, methanol, acetone, water, or mixtures, at 6:1 to 10:1 starting material to extract. On the anhydrous basis it requires NLT 60.0% polyphenols, NLT 40.0% EGCG, and NMT 0.1% caffeine.
What polyphenols means in each method
In the USP assay, polyphenols are seven named catechins measured by HPLC at 278 nm and summed as EGCG. The Folin-Ciocalteu method in ISO 14502-1 reads all phenolic compounds through a color reaction. ISO 14502-2 is the HPLC method for individual catechins. Report every polyphenol figure with its method name.
How identity is confirmed
USP identity test A runs an HPTLC plate in toluene, acetone, and formic acid, then dips it in fast blue B salt. EGCG shows as the strongest brownish orange band near Rf 0.38. Epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin follow near 0.48, 0.52, and 0.62. Test B matches seven catechin peaks to the USP reference standard by HPLC. DNA methods suit leaf, since a purified extract keeps little intact DNA.
Purity checks beyond the assay
The monograph caps gallic acid at NMT 1.0%. Gallic acid is released when gallated catechins such as EGCG split apart, so a low figure fits careful processing. Water is NMT 6.0% by Karl Fischer titration, and residue on ignition is NMT 0.5%. Total aerobic count is NMT 10,000 cfu/g, with Salmonella and E. coli absent.
Tea contaminants with set limits
EU maximum levels for pyrrolizidine alkaloids are 150 µg/kg in dried tea and 400 µg/kg in food supplements with botanical preparations. The same supplements are capped at 10 µg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene and 50 µg/kg for PAH4. The EU residue limit for anthraquinone in dried tea is 0.02 mg/kg.
Elemental contaminant limits
USP <2232> sets component limits of 0.5 µg/g for lead and cadmium and 1.5 µg/g for inorganic arsenic and total mercury. These assume products taken at up to 10 g a day. Smaller daily amounts can meet the chapter's daily limits at higher per gram levels. Some published grade sheets set lead at 1 ppm, and some set cadmium at 0.5 ppm. EU levels for lead, cadmium, and mercury apply to the finished supplement.
Sourcing and processing practices for green tea extract
Most differences between green tea extracts trace back to leaf drying, the solvent system, and how caffeine is handled. These practices give QA teams specific points to ask about and verify.
Ask how the leaf was dried
Anthraquinone in tea can rise during withering and drying when wood is the fuel, so the heat source shows up in the result. Ask your supplier for the heat source and an anthraquinone result by GC-MS/MS.
Know the whole solvent system
Many extracts start with water or ethanol and water, then add a purification step. One 50 to 60% EGCG grade is extracted with water and purified with ethyl acetate. Ask for every solvent used, including purification and decaffeination, with a GC result for each one.
Put a number on decaffeinated
Decaffeinated grades are sold with caffeine limits from NMT 0.1%, the USP figure, to under 2% on many market sheets. One supplier's decaffeinated grade allows 0.3% on the dry basis. Write a numeric caffeine limit and an HPLC method into your purchase specification.
Plan for weeds in the harvest
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids come from plant families such as Asteraceae and Boraginaceae, and the tea plant is in neither. They reach tea when these plants are picked with the leaf, so levels vary with weed control in the field. Ask for an LC-MS/MS result for each lot or crop year.
Keep wet steps short and cool
Catechins change with heat in water. Brewing at 98 °C for 7 hours degraded about 20% of them. Twenty minutes at 120 °C turned part of the EGCG into its isomer, GCG. Ask about time and temperature in concentration and drying, and read GCG on the HPLC report.
Ship and store dry
In dry blend trials at 22 °C, catechins held for 3 months at up to 43% relative humidity. Above that, losses depended on what else was in the blend. Sealed liners and dry storage keep the extract below that humidity.
Formulator tips for green tea extract
Use these points when you set label amounts, fill weights, and incoming tests. Most figures come from the USP monograph and published supplier sheets.
- Keep each number with its method. One supplier sheet lists 98% polyphenols by UV, 70% catechins by HPLC, and 50 to 60% EGCG on the same grade.
- Check caffeine per serving. 400 mg of extract at 1% caffeine carries 4 mg, while the same amount at 5% carries 20 mg.
- Plan capsule fill from bulk density. One supplier sheet gives 0.30 to 0.65 g/mL bulk and 0.55 to 0.85 g/mL tapped. At those figures, 400 mg needs about 0.6 to 1.3 mL of fill volume.
- For drinks, keep the pH acidic and the heat short. EGCG breaks down much faster in water at neutral pH than in acidic drinks.
- Take care with powdered acids in dry blends. Citric acid sped up catechin loss at 58% relative humidity and above, and ascorbic acid did so at 75% and above.
- Watch the carrier line. Some EGCG grades contain maltodextrin, in one case about 1 to 10%, and it belongs on the finished label.
- Set an incoming test plan. Run HPTLC identity and HPLC EGCG and caffeine on every lot. Add pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAH4, and anthraquinone for each new supplier or crop year, and recheck EGCG and gallic acid at retest.
Helping shoppers read a green tea extract label
Brands and their customer service teams field the same label questions again and again. These answers stick to what the ingredient is and how it is labeled.
What the label line means
A typical line reads green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) (leaf), standardized to 50% EGCG. USP labeling asks for the Latin name and the plant part. EGCG stands for epigallocatechin gallate, the main catechin in tea leaf.
How to read the numbers
Multiply the extract amount by the percentage to get EGCG per capsule. 250 mg at 50% gives 125 mg of EGCG. A polyphenol percentage is a different, broader number. A decaffeinated extract made to the USP monograph holds no more than 0.1% caffeine, or 0.25 mg in 250 mg.
Independent quality programs
Programs such as the USP Dietary Supplement Verification Program and NSF/ANSI 173 certification check finished products against their labels and contaminant limits. Ask the brand which program, if any, covers its product.
Normal look, taste, and home storage
The powder is light yellow brown to brown and tastes astringent and slightly bitter. It can darken slowly with air and moisture. Keep the bottle closed in a dry place away from light and heat, which matches the USP storage wording.
Storage and handling for bulk green tea extract
Catechin extracts keep well when they stay sealed, cool, dry, and out of light. These habits help you hold assay and color across several production runs.
Keep it sealed
Green tea extract picks up moisture from the air and can cake or darken when left open. Close the inner liner after each use and press out the air.
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.
Limit light and air
Catechins oxidize slowly, which can shift the color toward brown. Leave the powder in its original opaque packaging and keep air contact short.
Rotate stock
Record the lot number and retest date for each bag. Send older lots to production first.
Green tea extract buyer FAQ
Quick answers to the questions procurement and quality teams ask most.
How much caffeine is in green tea extract 50% EGCG?
It depends on the grade: standard extracts commonly carry 2 to 5% caffeine, and decaffeinated grades run under 2%. Check the caffeine result on each COA rather than the grade name.
What is the difference between polyphenols, catechins, and EGCG on a COA?
Polyphenols are the broadest group, catechins are the main polyphenols in green tea, and EGCG is the most abundant single catechin. Polyphenols are often measured by a UV method, and catechins and EGCG by HPLC, so read each number with its method.
Is decaffeinated green tea extract available in bulk?
Yes, decaffeinated grades are widely traded, usually with caffeine under 2%. Tell us your caffeine limit on the quote form.
Is there a USP monograph for green tea extract?
Yes. USP has a monograph for powdered decaffeinated green tea extract, and it includes a cautionary labeling requirement. If your label states USP compliance, check the current monograph text before you print.
What are the EU rules for green tea extract in supplements?
Regulation (EU) 2022/2340, in force since December 2022, sets conditions for green tea extracts containing EGCG. Labels must state EGCG per portion and carry set warning statements. Check the rules in each market you sell into.
How much 50% EGCG extract do I need for a 200 mg EGCG label amount?
You need 400 mg of a 50% grade, before any overage. Divide the label amount by the measured assay: 200 mg divided by 0.50 equals 400 mg. Use the HPLC EGCG result on the lot COA, since the grade name is only a minimum.
Does heat change EGCG in drinks?
Yes. Heat in water turns part of the EGCG into its isomer GCG, and long heating breaks catechins down. Catechins hold up longest in acidic drinks. Run a stability trial with your own process before launch.
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 green tea extract
Tell us the EGCG grade, caffeine limit, quantity, and timing you need. We will reply with current pricing. Select testing documents and sample options on the quote form.
Order Green Tea 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.
