Tribulus
Tribulus is Tribulus terrestris, a low-growing annual in the Zygophyllaceae family that grows in warm, dry regions of Europe, Asia and Africa and produces spiny fruits. The trade buys the dried fruit and the aerial herb, either milled or extracted with water or water-ethanol. Extracts are usually standardized to total saponins by gravimetric or UV method, or to protodioscin by HPLC, and the two kinds of figures are not comparable.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Dried, milled fruit or aerial parts sold by mesh size, without standardization.
Extract sold with a high total saponin percentage, often 40% to 90%, usually measured by gravimetric or UV method.
Extract sold with a declared protodioscin percentage by HPLC, which gives a lower but more specific number than total saponins.
Fruit or herb from certified organic sources, with the organic certificate tied to the lot.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.
Saponin profile varies with origin (Bulgarian, Indian and Chinese material differ) and plant part, so record origin, part and assay method for each lot. Do not compare total saponin and protodioscin figures across suppliers without checking the method.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Tribulus natural health product monograph lists Tribulus terrestris with the dried fruit and root as source parts.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Tribulus terrestris (POL-NF-00753) concerns the fruits and herbs and lists them as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Tribulus terrestris under the Chinese name ji li and the pharmaceutical name Fructus Tribuli.
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.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Changsha, China
Hunan Nutramax is a plant extract producer in Changsha, China, best known for monk fruit (luo han guo), stevia and sweet tea extracts, that also offers a range of herbal extracts.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include fruit or herb powder, saponin-standardized extract, protodioscin-standardized extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity, saponin or protodioscin assay, heavy metals, microbiology, residual solvents and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.
Health Canada's Tribulus natural health product monograph lists Tribulus terrestris with the dried fruit and root as source parts. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Tribulus terrestris (POL-NF-00753) concerns the fruits and herbs and lists them as not novel in food supplements. Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Tribulus terrestris under the Chinese name ji li and the pharmaceutical name Fructus Tribuli.
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.