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Inositol

Inositol suppliers and sourcing guide

Inositol, in the form used in food and supplements, is myo-inositol, a six-carbon sugar alcohol found in plants mainly as phytate. Commercial myo-inositol is made by extracting phytate (phytic acid) from corn steep liquor or rice bran, hydrolyzing it, and purifying and crystallizing the inositol. It is a white, sweet-tasting crystalline powder. D-chiro-inositol is a separate isomer sold on its own or blended with myo-inositol.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
myo-inositol · cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol · meso-inositol · D-chiro-inositol (related isomer)
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of inositol

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Myo-inositol powder

    Standard crystalline powder, the main form for capsules, powders and drink mixes.

  • Granular grades

    Agglomerated inositol for tableting and better flow.

  • D-chiro-inositol

    A different isomer, often from carob or made by isomerization, sold separately or in fixed ratios with myo-inositol.

  • Non-GMO source

    Inositol from non-GMO corn or rice bran, with supplier documentation.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (HPLC)
Myo-inositol content, typically 97% or more, by HPLC, per the Food Chemicals Codex or USP.
Identity and melting point
IR spectrum and melting range; confirms myo-inositol rather than another isomer.
Other isomers and sugars
Related isomers and reducing sugars by HPLC, important when D-chiro-inositol content is part of the spec.
Loss on drying and residue on ignition
Moisture and inorganic residue.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the supplier specification and the buyer's own limits.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella, against the supplier specification.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed in a cool, dry place; inositol is stable but cakes if it absorbs moisture. Keep containers closed between uses. The supplier's specification sets shelf life, often with a retest of assay and moisture.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the isomer (myo or D-chiro), the assay and the raw material source for each lot. When buying blends of myo- and D-chiro-inositol, confirm the ratio on each COA and rotate first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1370 affirms inositol (myo-inositol), prepared from an aqueous extract of corn kernels by precipitation and hydrolysis of crude phytate, as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • GRN 1198, for inositol notified by Sichuan Bohaoda Biological Technology Co., Ltd. for use at up to 250 mg/kg in listed beverages and dry milks, closed on February 3, 2025 with FDA having no questions.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry POL-NF-13885 covers D-chiro-inositol and myo-inositol from non-novel plant-based sources, listing myo-inositol as not novel in food and D-chiro-inositol as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (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.

Inositol suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking inositol 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 inositol? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of inositol can brands buy?

Common forms include myo-inositol powder, granular grades, d-chiro-inositol and non-GMO source. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for inositol include?

Expect assay (HPLC), identity and melting point, other isomers and sugars, loss on drying and residue on ignition, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should inositol be stored?

Store sealed in a cool, dry place; inositol is stable but cakes if it absorbs moisture. Keep containers closed between uses. The supplier's specification sets shelf life, often with a retest of assay and moisture.

What is the regulatory status of inositol?

21 CFR 184.1370 affirms inositol (myo-inositol), prepared from an aqueous extract of corn kernels by precipitation and hydrolysis of crude phytate, as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient. GRN 1198, for inositol notified by Sichuan Bohaoda Biological Technology Co., Ltd. for use at up to 250 mg/kg in listed beverages and dry milks, closed on February 3, 2025 with FDA having no questions. The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry POL-NF-13885 covers D-chiro-inositol and myo-inositol from non-novel plant-based sources, listing myo-inositol as not novel in food and D-chiro-inositol as not novel in food supplements.

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