Wholesome in bulk™ Kava Root Powder (Piper methysticum)
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Bulk Kava Root Powder for Supplement Manufacturing
Kava root powder is a dried, milled powder made from the peeled roots and rootstock of Piper methysticum G. Forst., a pepper family shrub grown in the South Pacific. Specifications center on noble varieties, plant part, and kavalactones 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 root powder with published variety and plant part standards
Kava has national and Codex standards that name approved varieties and plant parts. Those texts give buyers and quality teams fixed reference points for every lot.
Noble varieties
Pacific producers sort kava into noble varieties and other types. Tonga allows only noble varieties for export, and its 2020 standard lists them by name.
Root and rootstock only
Published standards allow peeled roots and the peeled rootstock, also called the basal stem. Upper stems, leaves, and peelings are excluded.
Six major kavalactones
HPLC measures six kavalactones: kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and desmethoxyyangonin. Their total gives the kavalactone content of the lot.
Chemotype as an identity check
The order of the six kavalactones forms a chemotype code. Tonga's standard requires dihydrokavain, kavain, and methysticin as the top three, plus a minimum kavain to methysticin ratio.
Dry, light brown powder
Dried kava for beverage use should hold no more than 12% moisture under the Codex standard. Good material is light brown with a plant aroma and no foreign odors.
Root powder or extract
Root powder is dried, milled root with its natural kavalactone level. Extracts are concentrated, often to 30% kavalactones or more, and depend on the solvent used, such as water, ethanol, or acetone.
Where formulators use kava root powder
This powder fits measured formats where fill weight and serving size are controlled, including:
- Capsules
- Compressed tablets, after flow trials
- Single ingredient powders
- Kava drink powders mixed with water
- Instant drink mixes, after taste trials
- Stick packs and sachets
- Multiple ingredient botanical blends
- Private label programs
Kava root powder has an earthy, bitter, peppery taste. Coarser grinds are usually strained after mixing with water, while finer grinds stay in suspension. Plan fill weights from the kavalactone result on each COA.
What to check before you buy kava root powder
Two powders sold as kava can differ in variety, plant part, kavalactone profile, and moisture. Review these points together, and ask for lot documents before you approve a supplier.
Variety and origin
Ask for the named noble variety and the island and country of harvest. Tonga's export labels name the village and island, which gives you a trace back to the farm.
Plant part
Confirm peeled lateral roots, peeled rootstock, or a stated mix of the two, on both the specification and the certificate of analysis (COA). Ask for a written statement that no peelings, upper stems, or leaves are included.
Kavalactones by HPLC
Ask for each of the six kavalactones by HPLC as well as the total. The individual results give you the chemotype as well as the content.
Variety screen
Tonga's standard has exporters screen every inbound batch with a colorimetric test and confirm by HPTLC. Ask which screen your lot passed and keep the result on file.
Moisture and mold
Check moisture against the 12% Codex limit and ask for aflatoxin and ochratoxin A results. Kava that was dried slowly or stored damp is the lot to question.
Contaminant limits
Check heavy metals by ICP-MS, microbial limits by USP methods, and pesticide residues. Compare each limit with your own finished product specification.
Market rules: Kava rules differ by country. Australia and New Zealand define kava root as the peeled root or rootstock of a noble variety named in the Codex standard. If you sell there, get the variety and plant part in writing.
Typical specification for kava root powder
These values reflect dried noble kava root powder. 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 | Piper methysticum G. Forst., peeled root and rootstock | HPTLC fingerprint |
| Variety | Noble variety, named on the COA | Supplier declaration and colorimetric screen |
| Plant part | Peeled lateral roots, peeled rootstock, or a mix stated on the COA; no peelings, upper stems, or leaves | Supplier declaration |
| Country and island of harvest | Provided with your quote | Certificate of origin |
| Appearance | Light brown powder, plant aroma | Visual and odor |
| Total kavalactones | Sum of six kavalactones, reported on the COA | HPLC |
| Chemotype | Chemotype code reported; top three match the noble standard of the origin country | HPLC |
| Moisture | NMT 12.0% | Loss on drying at 105 °C |
| Total ash | NMT 6.0% | AOAC 923.03 |
| Particle size | NLT 95% through 80 mesh, or as stated on the specification sheet | USP <786> |
| Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A | Within buyer limits, results reported | LC-MS/MS |
| 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 |
| 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> |
| Pesticide residues | Meets USP <561> | GC-MS and LC-MS |
| Shelf life | 24 months, unopened | Stability data |
Storage and handling for bulk kava root powder
Dried kava keeps its color and aroma when it stays sealed, dry, and away from strong odors. These steps keep the powder in good condition between production runs.
Keep it sealed
Close the inner liner after each use and press out the air. Root powder picks up moisture from the air, and damp kava is where mold starts.
Store cool and dry
Keep bags off the floor in a dry room, away from heat sources. Recheck moisture on any lot that has been stored in humid conditions.
Keep away from odors
Store kava away from spices, solvents, and fragrances. Good kava has a plant aroma, and buyers check for foreign odors on arrival.
Rotate stock
Record the lot number and retest date for each bag. Send older lots to production first.
Kava root powder buyer FAQ
Quick answers to the questions procurement and quality teams ask most.
What is noble kava?
Noble kava is a group of named kava varieties that Pacific producers grade as export quality. Tonga's 2020 standard lists seven, and the Codex regional standard lists approved noble varieties in its section 3.1.
Which part of the kava plant is used?
Only the peeled roots and peeled rootstock are used. Published standards exclude upper stems, leaves, and peelings. Ask your supplier to state the part on the COA.
How are kavalactones measured?
Kavalactones are measured by HPLC, which reports each of the six main kavalactones. The total gives the kavalactone content, and the order of the six gives the chemotype.
What is the difference between kava root powder and kava extract?
Root powder is dried, milled root with its natural kavalactone level. Extract is concentrated with a solvent and sold at a stated kavalactone grade, often 30% or higher.
What moisture should dried kava have?
Dried kava should hold no more than 12% moisture under the Codex regional standard. Tonga's standard sets 12.5%.
Are there rules on which kava can be sold?
Yes, and they vary by market. Tonga exports only noble varieties, and Australia and New Zealand define kava root as the peeled root or rootstock of a noble variety.
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 kava root powder
Tell us the variety, grind, quantity, and timing you need. We will reply with current pricing. Select testing documents and sample options on the quote form.
Order Kava Root PowderBulk 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.
