What Is Standardised Extract?

Why It Matters for Supplement Brands

Standardisation is what connects your product to the clinical evidence. If a study used ashwagandha standardised to 5% withanolides and your product uses raw root powder, you can't reliably claim the same benefits. Understanding standardisation is essential for accurate substantiation.

How It Works

The standardisation process:

1. **Marker compound selection**: Identifying the bioactive compound(s) believed to be responsible for the ingredient's effects (e.g., curcuminoids in turmeric, withanolides in ashwagandha). 2. **Extraction**: Using solvents or processes to concentrate the marker compound from the raw material. 3. **Assay**: Analytical testing (typically HPLC) to measure the concentration of the marker compound. 4. **Adjustment**: Blending extracted material to achieve the target standardisation level.

Common examples: • Ashwagandha: Standardised to 5% withanolides (e.g., KSM-66®) • Turmeric: Standardised to 95% curcuminoids • Grape seed: Standardised to 95% proanthocyanidins • Green tea: Standardised to 50% EGCG

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ✗Assuming all forms of an ingredient are equivalent — raw powder, 4:1 extract, and standardised extract can have vastly different potencies
• ✗Not specifying the marker compound and target percentage on the label
• ✗Using studies on standardised extracts to substantiate claims for non-standardised raw materials
• ✗Not verifying standardisation via COA — some suppliers claim standardisation without testing

Related Terms

See It in Action

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