Chlorophyll (chlorophyllin)
Chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) suppliers and sourcing guide
Chlorophyll is the green pigment of plants and algae, extracted with solvents from alfalfa, nettle, grasses or algae. Natural chlorophyll is oil-soluble and unstable, so most ingredients for supplements, drinks and coloring are sodium copper chlorophyllin, a water-soluble derivative made by saponifying chlorophyll and replacing its magnesium with copper. It is sold as a dark green to black powder or as a liquid concentrate.
- Category
- Specialty nutrients
- Also known as
- Sodium copper chlorophyllin · Chlorophyllin copper complex · E141 · C.I. 75810 · Potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of chlorophyll (chlorophyllin)
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Sodium copper chlorophyllin powder
Water-soluble powder specified by total copper chlorophyllins and copper content.
Liquid chlorophyllin
Aqueous or glycerin concentrate at a stated chlorophyllin content, common in liquid drops.
Oil-soluble copper chlorophyll
Copper complex of chlorophyll for oil-based products and softgels.
Natural chlorophyll extracts
Magnesium chlorophyll from alfalfa or algae, less stable and usually lower in pigment.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Total copper chlorophyllins
- Pigment content by spectrophotometry, with the ratio of absorbance at 405 nm to 630 nm.
- Total and free copper
- Copper by AAS or ICP; free copper should be low compared with bound copper.
- Solvent residues
- Acetone, ethanol and hexane by headspace GC.
- Lead, arsenic and mercury
- By ICP-MS against the color additive specification or the buyer's limits.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying for powders.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens, particularly for liquid concentrates.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed, cool and protected from light; chlorophyll and chlorophyllin fade with light, heat and acid. Powders are hygroscopic and should be kept dry. Shelf life and retest date come from the supplier, with pigment content repeated at retest.
Lots and expiry dates
Record total chlorophyllin, copper and color strength for each lot, since shade varies. Check older lots for fading before use in products where color matters.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.125 lists sodium copper chlorophyllin as a color additive that may be used to color citrus-based dry beverage mixes at no more than 0.2 percent of the dry mix, and exempts it from certification.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)The same regulation specifies that the chlorophyll is extracted from alfalfa and sets total copper at 4 to 6 percent.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.1125 and 73.2125 allow potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin for coloring dentifrices that are drugs or cosmetics.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists sodium copper chlorophyllin as a colour additive with an acceptable daily intake of up to 7.5 mg/kg body weight per day.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell chlorophyll (chlorophyllin)? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) can brands buy?
Common forms include sodium copper chlorophyllin powder, liquid chlorophyllin, oil-soluble copper chlorophyll and natural chlorophyll extracts. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) include?
Expect total copper chlorophyllins, total and free copper, solvent residues, lead, arsenic and mercury, moisture and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) be stored?
Store sealed, cool and protected from light; chlorophyll and chlorophyllin fade with light, heat and acid. Powders are hygroscopic and should be kept dry. Shelf life and retest date come from the supplier, with pigment content repeated at retest.
What is the regulatory status of chlorophyll (chlorophyllin)?
21 CFR 73.125 lists sodium copper chlorophyllin as a color additive that may be used to color citrus-based dry beverage mixes at no more than 0.2 percent of the dry mix, and exempts it from certification. The same regulation specifies that the chlorophyll is extracted from alfalfa and sets total copper at 4 to 6 percent. 21 CFR 73.1125 and 73.2125 allow potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin for coloring dentifrices that are drugs or cosmetics. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists sodium copper chlorophyllin as a colour additive with an acceptable daily intake of up to 7.5 mg/kg body weight per day.
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