A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is one of the first documents buyers review when sourcing botanical extracts. But what should you actually look for?
Here are 5 key points worth checking:
1. Botanical Identity
Check the botanical name, plant part used and extract type. Make sure they match your product specifications.
2. Active Ingredient Content
Look at the marker compounds and their actual test results. For standardized extracts, check whether the content meets your required specification.
3. Testing Methods
Check how the active ingredients are measured. HPLC and UV methods, for example, may produce results that are not directly comparable.
4. Contaminant Testing
Depending on the ingredient and destination market, relevant tests may include:
- Heavy metals
- Microbiological limits
- Residual solvents
5. Physical & Batch Information
Don’t overlook moisture, appearance, particle size and other relevant physical properties. Also check the batch number and manufacturing date to ensure the COA relates to the actual material being supplied.
One more thing: A COA should not be reviewed in isolation. Comparing it with the product specification and other supporting documents gives buyers a more complete picture of raw material quality.
For supplement manufacturers and ingredient buyers, a careful COA review is an important step before approving a new raw material.
What’s the first thing you usually check when reviewing a botanical extract COA – active ingredient content, contaminant levels, or botanical identity?