Wholesome in bulk™ Guarana Seed Extract Powder
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Bulk Guarana Seed Extract for Supplement Manufacturing
Guarana extract is a dry powder made from the seeds of Paullinia cupana Kunth, a climbing shrub native to the Amazon basin. It is standardized to caffeine, most often 22%, measured by HPLC. We supply it in bulk to supplement brands, beverage makers, contract manufacturers, and formulators for further processing. You can request testing documents and samples on the quote form.
A seed extract specified by its caffeine content
Guarana extract is specified by one number, its caffeine content, measured by HPLC. That makes grades easy to compare between lots and suppliers. The same number also sets how carefully the powder must be weighed and stored.
Caffeine as the marker
Bulk guarana extract is sold by caffeine percentage. The 22% grade is the most widely listed, which works out to about 220 mg of caffeine per gram of powder.
Seed powder or extract
Ground guarana seed holds up to about 6% caffeine. Extraction concentrates it, so a 22% extract carries several times more caffeine per gram than seed powder.
HPLC assay
HPLC separates caffeine from the other seed compounds before measuring it. Ask for the method and the reference standard on every COA.
Other seed compounds
Guarana seed also contains theobromine, theophylline, and tannins. Some specifications report theobromine next to caffeine as a second composition check.
Brazilian origin
Guarana is grown mainly in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Bahia. Ask for the country and state of harvest on each lot.
Sold for manufacturing
This extract is a concentrated caffeine material sold for further manufacturing. FDA's 2018 guidance on highly concentrated caffeine targets bulk products sold directly to consumers, so finished goods should reach shoppers in measured servings.
Where formulators use guarana extract
Guarana extract fits measured formats where caffeine per serving is fixed at the batching stage, including:
- Capsules
- Compressed tablets
- Single serve powdered drink mix sachets
- Ready to drink beverages
- Gummies and chews, after stability trials
- Multiple ingredient botanical blends
- Caffeine containing botanical formulations
- Private label programs
Plan every serving from the confirmed caffeine assay on each COA, and state total caffeine per serving on the finished label. A 22% extract and seed powder are far apart in caffeine per gram, so recalculate whenever you change grade or supplier.
What to check before you buy guarana extract
Two powders sold as 22% guarana extract can differ in caffeine source, carrier, origin, and contaminant profile. Review these points together, and ask for lot documents before you approve a supplier.
Species and plant part
Confirm Paullinia cupana seed on both the specification and the certificate of analysis (COA). Ask for the country and state of harvest at the same time.
Caffeine by HPLC
Ask for caffeine by HPLC, with a stated minimum and a dry or as is basis. A UV result is a different measure and harder to compare.
Caffeine source
Ask how the supplier confirms that all caffeine comes from the seed. The grade should be reached by extraction, with no added caffeine.
Solvent and carrier
Ask for the extraction solvent and any carrier, such as maltodextrin, with percentages. Carrier content changes the caffeine per gram.
Contaminant limits
Check heavy metals by ICP-MS, microbial limits by USP methods, pesticide residues, and residual solvents. Compare each limit with your own finished product specification.
Caffeine handling plan
Confirm that your plant weighs the extract on calibrated scales, labels part bags with the caffeine percentage, and stores it apart from finished goods.
Weigh, do not scoop: At 22% caffeine, one gram of extract carries about 220 mg of caffeine. Small volume errors become large caffeine errors. Weigh every addition on a calibrated scale and record it in the batch file.
Typical specification for guarana seed extract
These values reflect the common 22% caffeine 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 | Paullinia cupana Kunth, seed | HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint |
| Appearance | Brown to reddish brown fine powder | Visual |
| Odor and taste | Characteristic, bitter | Organoleptic |
| Caffeine | NLT 22.0% | HPLC |
| Theobromine | Reported on the COA | HPLC |
| Extraction solvent | Water and ethanol | Supplier declaration |
| Carrier | None, or as named on the specification sheet | Supplier declaration |
| Residual solvents | Meets USP <467> | 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 1.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium | NMT 1.0 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Mercury | NMT 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Pesticide residues | Meets USP <561> | GC-MS and LC-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> |
| Shelf life | 24 to 36 months, unopened | Stability data |
Quality standards for guarana extract
Guarana seed has a monograph in the French Pharmacopoeia, and EMA has published a detailed review of its composition. Caffeine by HPLC is the main assay, backed by identity, caffeine source, and contaminant checks.
French Pharmacopoeia guarana
The French Pharmacopoeia monograph for guarana seed covers the whole seed, rapidly dried with heat. It requires NLT 3.5% caffeine on the dried seed. Guarana paste, the pounded and dried seed, requires NLT 3.0%. EMA cites the 1997 edition of both monographs.
Seed composition as a reference
EMA's 2012 draft review gives dried seed at 1.1 to 5.8% caffeine, 0.01 to 0.17% theobromine, and 0.006 to 0.25% theophylline. Tannins, mainly proanthocyanidins, make up 9.5 to 16%. Starch is about 30% and protein about 15%. Use these figures to judge whether a seed powder's profile looks typical.
Caffeine by HPLC
HPLC with UV detection is the standard caffeine method for guarana extract. It separates caffeine from theobromine and theophylline before it measures. State the basis, dry or as is, next to every caffeine figure, and ask for the chromatogram.
Checking the caffeine source
Stable carbon isotope analysis can show where caffeine came from. In one LC-IRMS method, caffeine from coffee, tea, guarana, and maté read δ13C values of -25 to -32‰. Synthetic caffeine read -33 to -38‰. Benchtop proton NMR fingerprints have also been validated as a first screen for Maués guarana powder.
PAHs from roasting and smoking
Seeds are traditionally sun dried, then roasted for 2 to 3 hours in clay ovens. Some paste is smoked over charcoal and sold as sticks. Heat and smoke make polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) a standard test item. European supplier sheets set benzo[a]pyrene at NMT 10 µg/kg and the sum of four PAHs (PAH4) at NMT 50 µg/kg.
Contaminant limits to build on
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. EU contaminant levels apply to the finished supplement, not to the raw extract. Some supplier sheets add an aflatoxin limit by HPLC, so ask whether the figure covers B1 alone or total aflatoxins.
Sourcing and processing practices for guarana extract
Guarana quality depends on where the seed grew, how it was roasted, and how the extract reached its caffeine figure. These practices give QA teams specific points to ask about and verify.
Traceable growing areas
Brazil has registered two geographical indications for guarana. Maués received an indication of source on January 16, 2018. The Sateré-Mawé native guarana of the Andirá-Marau Indigenous Territory followed on October 20, 2020. Ask for producer or cooperative documents when a supplier names either source.
Ask how the grade was reached
One 10 to 12% caffeine grade declares 32 to 65% seed extract, 30 to 60% wheat maltodextrin, and 5 to 8% natural caffeine from other plants. Native extracts in EMA's review ran about 11 to 15% caffeine. For a 22% grade, ask for the full composition and the source of every caffeine fraction.
Know the roast and the solvent
Ask whether the seed was roasted, smoked, or only dried, since the PAH panel depends on it. Published grades use water, ethanol and water, or 50 to 66% ethanol as the solvent. Ask for a GC residual solvent result whenever ethanol is used.
Separate cultivation from manufacture
Guarana is grown mainly in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Bahia. Spec sheets sometimes list only the country where the powder was made. Ask for two statements, the country and state where the seeds grew and the site where they were extracted.
Microbial control without irradiation
Published supplier sheets state that no irradiation is used. One 10% grade sets total plate count at NMT 1,000 cfu/g and yeast and mold at NMT 100 cfu/g. Ask which microbial control step was used, and keep that statement in the lot file.
Formulator tips for guarana extract
Use these points when you set caffeine figures, fill weights, and incoming tests. Most figures below come from EMA's review and published supplier sheets.
- Do the caffeine math from the COA. 100 mg of caffeine takes about 455 mg of a 22% extract, or 833 mg to 1 g of a 10 to 12% grade. Seed powder at 4% needs 2.5 g.
- Plan fill from bulk density. Sheets give 0.30 to 0.70 g/mL, so 455 mg of a 22% extract needs about 0.65 to 1.5 mL of fill volume. One sheet lists tapped density at 0.40 to 0.80 g/mL.
- Check pH in liquids. A 1% solution of one standardized grade reads pH 3.5 to 6.0, so test it in your beverage base before scale up.
- Run haze trials for clear drinks. Guarana seed carries 9.5 to 16% tannins, so hold test bottles chilled and at room temperature through the planned shelf life.
- Expect bitter and astringent notes from the seed. Capsules and flavored mixes are the easiest formats, and open powders need taste trials.
- Keep it dry. Standardized grades with maltodextrin are hygroscopic, and one sheet sets storage at 5 to 25 °C in closed original packaging, away from light.
- Ask whether a grade includes added caffeine or a carrier, since each is a separate ingredient in your formula. A wheat maltodextrin carrier also changes your allergen review.
- Set an incoming test plan. Run caffeine by HPLC and an HPTLC identity check on every lot. Add PAH4, metals by ICP-MS, and microbial counts for each new supplier, and a δ13C caffeine check when you qualify a source. Recheck caffeine and loss on drying at retest.
Helping shoppers read a guarana 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 guarana seed extract (Paullinia cupana), standardized to 22% caffeine. The plant part should read seed. Guarana powder without the word extract is usually the ground seed, at about 1 to 6% caffeine.
How to read the caffeine percentage
Multiply the extract amount by the percentage. 250 mg of extract at 22% holds 55 mg of caffeine. The same 250 mg of ground seed at 4% holds 10 mg.
Independent programs and origin seals
Programs such as the USP Dietary Supplement Verification Program and NSF/ANSI 173 certification check finished products against their labels and contaminant limits. Brazil also registers geographical indications for guarana from Maués and from the Sateré-Mawé lands of Andirá-Marau.
Normal look, taste, and home storage
Ground seed is yellow to brown, and extracts are beige to brown. Both taste bitter and astringent. Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from light, since standardized grades pick up moisture.
Storage and handling for bulk guarana extract
Guarana extract is a concentrated caffeine material, so storage covers labeling and access as well as moisture and light. These habits help you hold quality and keep weighing accurate.
Keep it sealed, cool, and dry
Close the inner liner after each use and press out the air. Keep bags off the floor, away from heat and direct light.
Label and control access
Mark every bag and part bag with the caffeine percentage and lot number. Store it in a controlled area that only trained staff can reach.
Weigh, never scoop
Dispense by weight on a calibrated scale. Scoops and spoons are not accurate enough for a material at this caffeine level.
Control dust
Fine powder makes dust at the mixer. Use local dust extraction and the protective equipment listed on the safety data sheet.
Guarana extract buyer FAQ
Quick answers to the questions procurement and quality teams ask most.
How much caffeine is in guarana extract?
Most bulk guarana extract is standardized to 22% caffeine, about 220 mg per gram. Ground guarana seed holds up to about 6%. The COA for each lot gives the measured figure.
What is the difference between guarana seed powder and guarana extract?
Seed powder is the dried, ground seed, while extract is concentrated to a stated caffeine level. A 22% extract carries several times more caffeine per gram than seed powder, so the two are not interchangeable in a formula.
How is caffeine in guarana extract measured?
Caffeine in guarana extract is measured by HPLC against a caffeine reference standard. Ask for the method, the basis (dry or as is), and the chromatogram if your quality team reviews them.
Can bulk guarana extract be sold directly to consumers?
This bulk extract is sold for further manufacturing, and finished products should reach consumers in measured, labeled servings. FDA's 2018 guidance considers dietary supplements of pure or highly concentrated caffeine sold in bulk to consumers adulterated.
Where does guarana come from?
Guarana comes mainly from Brazil, where the states of Amazonas and Bahia lead production. The plant is native to the Amazon basin. The country of manufacture for each lot is provided with your quote.
How should guarana extract be handled in production?
Handle it as a concentrated caffeine material. Weigh every addition on a calibrated scale, label part bags with the caffeine percentage, and limit access to trained staff. Follow the dust and protective equipment advice on the safety data sheet.
How can I tell if the caffeine in guarana extract comes only from the seed?
Ask for the full composition and a stable carbon isotope (δ13C) result for the caffeine. Plant caffeine reads about -25 to -32‰ in published work, and synthetic caffeine -33 to -38‰. Caffeine from tea or coffee falls in the same plant range, so only a declared composition rules it out.
Why do guarana specifications include PAH limits?
Guarana seed is usually roasted, and some paste is smoked, so PAHs are a standard test item. European supplier sheets set benzo[a]pyrene at NMT 10 µg/kg and PAH4 at NMT 50 µg/kg. Ask for a PAH4 result for each new supplier.
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.
Request a quote for bulk guarana extract
Tell us the caffeine grade, quantity, finished format, and timing. We will reply with current pricing. Select testing documents and sample options on the quote form.
Order Guarana ExtractBulk orders: Choose a pack size above, or use the quote form for larger volumes, testing documents, and sample options. We serve supplement brands, beverage makers, 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.
