milk thistle extract technical data sheet

Milk thistle extract is one of the most widely specified botanical ingredients in the supplement industry, and buyers who source it in bulk need more than a product name — they need a clear technical data sheet that covers assay, physical and chemical limits, microbial safety, packaging, and shelf life. This article walks through the complete technical profile of milk thistle extract silymarin, so purchasing and formulation teams know exactly what to verify before qualifying a supplier.

What Is Milk Thistle Extract?

Milk thistle extract is a standardized botanical ingredient obtained from the dried ripe fruit (seed) of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., a plant native to the Mediterranean region that is now cultivated worldwide. The seeds are processed through solvent extraction — typically acetone, ethanol, or ethyl acetate — to concentrate the plant's active flavonolignan complex, which is known collectively as silymarin.

Silymarin is not a single compound. It is a mixture of flavonolignans that includes silybin (also written silibinin), isosilybin, silydianin, and silychristin. Of these, silybin is the most abundant and the most studied. The ratio of these components can vary between batches and between suppliers, which is why a reliable technical data sheet always states both the total silymarin content and the individual silybin level. The CAS number for milk thistle extract is 65666-07-1, and the primary reference standard for the active fraction is silybin (CAS 22888-70-6).

Milk Thistle Extract Technical Data Sheet

The table below summarizes the typical specification for milk thistle extract standardized to silymarin 80% (UV), the most commonly requested grade in the market. This is the grade Cactus Botanics supplies as its standard milk thistle extract silymarin product.

Available Grades and Assay Options

Silymarin content is the single most important number on a milk thistle extract data sheet, and it can be reported by two different analytical methods. The UV method measures total flavonolignans and is the basis for the popular 80% grade. The HPLC method separates and quantifies individual components, so an extract labeled "silymarin 80% (UV)" may test lower when measured by HPLC — typically around 45%. Buyers should always confirm which method the certificate of analysis uses, because the two numbers are not interchangeable.

Beyond the standard silymarin 80% (UV) grade, suppliers commonly offer HPLC-standardized versions at 40%, 50%, 53%, 55%, and 60% silymarin, as well as silybin-enriched extracts at 40% and 50%. Cactus Botanics can supply the standard 80% (UV) milk thistle extract silymarin and work with customers on custom assay targets, particle size, and packaging to fit a specific formulation.

Applications of Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle extract is used across several product categories, which is why it appears so often on raw-material procurement lists:

• Dietary supplements — liver-support and detox formulas in capsules and tablets are the largest application, typically using silymarin 80% (UV) or HPLC-standardized grades.
• Functional foods and beverages — standardized milk thistle extract is incorporated into drink mixes, sticks, and sachets where a clean, low-dose botanical addition is required.
• Skincare and personal care — silymarin's antioxidant profile has made milk thistle extract a common ingredient in skin-care formulations, and Cactus Botanics supplies it for this segment as well.

Quality Control and Testing

A technical data sheet is only as trustworthy as the quality system behind it. Cactus Botanics manufactures botanical extracts under cGMP and operates FDA-registered facilities, with certifications including FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, USDA Organic, EuropeanｕｎｉｏｎOrganic, Kosher, and Halal. Every batch of milk thistle extract is verified through identity testing, HPLC and UV assay, microscopy, and TLC, with DNA testing applied where required. Microbiological screening, heavy-metal analysis, and stability testing for active compounds are run as standard, and full batch traceability is maintained from botanical sourcing through final packaging.

Packaging, Storage, and Shelf Life

Milk thistle extract is typically packed in 25 kg fiber drums with a double inner lining of food-grade polyethylene bags, and custom pack sizes are available on request. The powder should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Under these conditions the shelf life is 24 months from the date of manufacture. The product is non-irradiated and treated by heat only, which matters to buyers who need to maintain clean-label claims.

Why Source Milk Thistle Extract from Cactus Botanics

When you are comparing milk thistle extract suppliers, the differentiators come down to documentation, consistency, and supply chain. Cactus Botanics provides batch-specific certificates of analysis, technical data sheets, and safety data sheets for every lot, so your quality team can complete qualification quickly. As a milk thistle extract manufacturer with facilities in the United States, Germany, and China, the company serves clients in more than 190 countries, with logistics options including FedEx, DHL, UPS, TNT, air freight, and sea freight, and typical order fulfillment of 1–3 working days before dispatch.

Whether you need bulk milk thistle extract for a new liver-support launch, a custom assay grade for a functional beverage, or a private-label finished product, the same technical data sheet standards apply. Request the current COA and TDS from the Cactus Botanics team to confirm batch-specific values before you commit to a purchase order.