Which certifications do UniCare's manufacturing partners hold?

UniCare works with Chinese manufacturers whose quality systems are certified to standards including GMP, EU-GMP, CEP, ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and HACCP. Certification scope varies by product line, and the relevant certificates are shared for each ingredient during supplier qualification.

How are UniCare botanical extracts tested before release?

Each partner factory has independent testing capability. Typical release testing covers marker compound assay by HPLC or UV, residual solvents by GC, pesticide residues by GC-MS/MS, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper) by ICP-MS, microscopic and TLC identification, moisture or loss on drying, ash, microbial limits, pH, conductivity and sulfur dioxide residue.

What documents are supplied with each batch?

Each lot is supplied with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. Specification sheets, MSDS, methods of analysis and regulatory statements can be provided on request during qualification.

Can UniCare customize ingredient specifications?

Yes. The customized service covers adjustments such as assay level or extract ratio, particle size and packaging format, subject to technical feasibility and regulatory requirements in the destination market.

How can buyers request a catalog or samples?

Buyers can request the product catalog and samples through the Request a Catalog page, by email at info@unicare-bio.com, or by phone at +86-028-85333989.

Best Pure Horney Goat Weed Factory & Exporter

Portfolio Showcase

Active Botanical Extract Series & Featured Shipments

Engineered via continuous countercurrent extraction and high-resolution HPLC assay standardization. Browse our tier-one active ingredient catalog for global procurement.

Macro Industry Landscape

The Global Commercial Reality of Pure Horny Goat Weed Extraction

A rigorous examination of agrarian genetics, global procurement dynamics, regulatory thresholds, and clinical demand across North American, European, and Asia-Pacific nutraceutical markets.

98%

Maximum Purity HPLC Chromatographic Assay for Pure Icariin Isolates

12,000 MT

Annual Sourcing Capacity from Wild & GAP Certified Mountain Harvest Bases

< 10 ppb

Ultra-Trace Heavy Metal Control for Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, and Mercury

100%

USP <561> and EP 2.8.13 Multi-Screen Residual Pesticide Absence

Supply Chain Resilience & Species Authentication

Epimedium, commercially referred to as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, consists of over 50 taxonomic species; however, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and European Pharmacopoeia (EP) specifically mandate Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum, and Epimedium koreanum Nakai for standardized icariin isolation. UniCare Bio-Tech implements internal high-throughput genomic barcoding (ITS2 and matK gene loci) coupled with TLC fingerprinting on all raw folium dry leaves prior to extraction. This mitigates raw botanical adulteration, verifying authentic biochemical profiles.

Modern Continuous Countercurrent Technology

Traditional static maceration tanks result in batch variations, thermal degradation of heat-sensitive prenylated flavonol glycosides, and excessive solvent burdens. UniCare’s partnered extraction plants utilize automated continuous countercurrent extraction (CCCE) batteries operating under sub-atmospheric conditions. By precisely modulating the ethanol-to-water gradient (55% to 75% v/v) and temperature (below 58°C), icariin, epimedin A, epimedin B, and epimedin C are extracted with unmatched operational yields exceeding 92.4% recovery.

Surging Global Market Demand

Nutraceutical brands have pivoted from basic herbal powders toward verified molecular pathways. Horny Goat Weed is no longer confined to traditional virility supplements; it is recognized internationally as a primary source of therapeutic prenylflavonoids that modulate cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling via selective PDE5 inhibition, enhance osteoblastic osteogenesis, and downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) within longevity and sports replenishment matrices.

Analytical Reference

Factory Specifications & Molecular Standardization Matrix

Calibrated against European, United States, and Chinese Pharmacopeial standards. Release testing executed via Agilent 1290 UHPLC and Dionex HPLC systems.

Active Compound Grade	Assay Method	Physical Form	Solubility Profile	Primary Commercial Use
Pure Icariin 98%	HPLC External Standard	Fine off-white crystalline powder	Soluble in ethanol, DMSO; spar. soluble in water	High-end pharmaceutical APIs, cellular life sciences, nootropic research
Standardized Icariin 50% / 60%	HPLC Reverse Phase	Light yellow fine powder (80–100 Mesh)	Soluble in hydroethanolic solutions	Premium testosterone-support formulas, clinical nutraceutical capsules
Standardized Icariin 10% / 20%	HPLC / UHPLC	Brown-yellow uniform powder	Partially water dispersible	Bulk dietary supplements, sports nutrition blends, multi-herb tablets
Water-Soluble Epimedium 10:1	TLC Identity & UV Marker	Fine amber dispersible powder	100% cold water soluble without sedimentation	Ready-to-drink (RTD) functional beverages, effervescent sticks, adaptogenic tonics
Icaritin 98% (Enzymatic Derivative)	HPLC Direct Quant	Pale yellow crystalline powder	Soluble in lipophilic systems, lipids, and ethanol	Immunotherapy studies, advanced oncology nutrition, advanced clinical formulas

Note: UniCare Bio-Tech delivers custom particle micronization (down to 200 Mesh), customized bulk densities (0.40–0.65 g/mL), and certified low-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH4) grades meeting stringent EU Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 standards.

Factory Engineering

End-to-End Extraction Technology Roadmap

UniCare Bio-Tech implements a closed-loop, environmentally sustainable extraction architecture that guarantees active compound integrity while eliminating residual solvent cross-contamination.

Phase 01 · Agronomy & Pre-Treatment

Wildcraft GAP Cultivation & Cryo-Milling

Harvested exclusively from pristine alpine microclimates in the Qinling and Dabie mountains at optimal phenological maturity (late summer to early autumn). Folium leaves undergo moisture stabilization below 8% via circulating dehumidification air and are pulverized using cryogenic air-classification milling to protect unstable prenyl ring structures.

Phase 02 · Solid-Liquid Extraction

Multi-Stage Countercurrent Leach

Milled Epimedium leaf matrix moves countercurrently against an environmentally friendly food-grade ethanol/deionized water phase within sanitary 316L stainless-steel extraction columns. Temperature is strictly regulated at 52°C–56°C under real-time PLC monitoring to maximize flavonoid diffusion rates while preventing oxidative degradation.

Phase 03 · Chromatographic Fractionation

Macroporous Resin Adsorption & Membrane Refinement

The clarified decoction passes through proprietary non-polar polystyrene resin columns (AB-8 / D101). Inert tannins, mono-saccharides, and chlorophylls are washed clean with pure water. Selected ethanol desorption steps selectively elute Icariin and Epimedin fractions, followed by ceramic membrane microfiltration (0.1 μm) to strip all endotoxins.

Phase 04 · Purification & Cryogenic Vacuum Drying

Recrystallization & Continuous Vacuum Drying

High-purity eluates (for 50% to 98% grades) enter low-temperature vacuum crystallization chambers. For powder grades, continuous vacuum spray drying under nitrogen inerting ensures non-thermal oxidation, high flowability, uniform bulk density, and instantaneous solubility without caramelization or scorched taste profiles.

Nutraceutical Applications

Targeted Formulation Paradigms & Localized Use Scenarios

Bridging natural biochemical mechanisms with clinical efficacy for pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract supplement packagers, and functional beverage formulators.

Male Endocrine & Nitric Oxide Dynamics

Pure Icariin is biologically recognized as a natural selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. By safeguarding cGMP hydrolysis in vascular endothelial tissues, it augments endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) transcription. Formulators combine our 20%–50% Icariin with Panax Ginseng, L-Arginine, and Zinc to create synergistic male vitality and vigor supplements.

Post-Menopausal Bone Mineral Density

Epidemiological and clinical trials demonstrate that Epimedium prenylflavonoids exhibit bone-protective estrogen-like actions without unwanted uterine hyperplasia. Icariin activates the BMP-2/Smad4 signaling cascade to stimulate osteoblast proliferation and runx2 expression. It is integrated into bone density complexes alongside calcium hydroxyapatite and Vitamin K2-MK7.

Athletic Performance & Ergogenic Adaptation

As an adaptogenic flavonoid, pure Horny Goat Weed extract enhances oxygen utilization efficiency, attenuates serum lactic acid accumulation during peak isometric load, and preserves testosterone-to-cortisol ratios following rigorous training. Our 10%–20% HPLC grades are utilized globally in pre-workout mixes, intra-workout electrolytes, and anabolic primers.

Neuro-Protection & Cognitive Longevity

Icariin crosses the blood-brain barrier to downregulate neuro-inflammation and protect cholinergic neurons against amyloid beta (Aβ) induced toxicity. Advanced nootropic brands utilize high-purity (98%) Icariin and enzymatic Icaritin in anti-senescence, mitochondrial rejuvenation, and cellular longevity capsules designed for the geriatric market.

Quality Assurance

Full-Spectrum Batch Release & Traceability Protocols

Every commercial batch leaving UniCare’s facility undergoes mandatory release analysis in compliance with cGMP, ISO 17025 accredited methods, and strict pharmacopeial parameters.

Chromatographic Purity & Active Assay

Utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detectors (HPLC-DAD) and UHPLC-MS/MS. We run comprehensive multi-marker analyses confirming percentages for Icariin, Epimedin A, B, C, and Icariside II to identify synthetic spiking or dilution with non-potent botanicals.

Residual Solvents & Organic Impurities

Residual solvents are analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and head-space sampling in strict accordance with USP <467> Class 2 and Class 3 guidelines. Residual ethanol is guaranteed below 0.1%, with zero toluene, acetone, or chlorinated hydrocarbon residues.

Heavy Metals & Microbiological Sterility

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) tests each production lot down to parts-per-billion (ppb) limits for Lead (<0.5 ppm), Arsenic (<0.5 ppm), Cadmium (<0.2 ppm), and Mercury (<0.1 ppm). Microbiological lots are tested for Total Aerobic Count, Yeast/Mold, and absence of Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Procurement Intelligence

Frequently Asked Questions on Pure Horny Goat Weed Sourcing

Technical answers prepared by our natural extraction biochemists and global regulatory affairs team to assist qualification, formulation, and custom audits.

What distinguishes Pure Icariin from Total Epimedium Flavonoids?

Total Flavonoids are typically measured by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) calibrated against a standard like rutin or icariin. UV testing measures all conjugated aromatic phenolic rings, often yielding an inflated percentage (e.g., 20% or 50% UV) that includes epimedins, luteolin derivatives, and miscellaneous flavonoids. In contrast, Pure Icariin is quantified via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) by measuring the absolute chromatographic peak of 8-prenylkaempferol 3,7-O-diglucoside. HPLC is the gold standard for clinical-grade nutraceuticals because it guarantees precise therapeutic dose reproducibility.

Which Epimedium species is used, and how do you prevent taxonomic adulteration?

UniCare Bio-Tech sources strictly from validated Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. and Epimedium sagittatum grown in audited Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Hubei provinces. To combat species substitution with inferior regional variations (such as Epimedium acuminatum or non-officinal varieties with negligible icariin content), we implement incoming botanical identification through High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint comparison against USP reference standards and molecular DNA barcode identification.

Can UniCare supply water-soluble Epimedium extract for liquid beverages?

Yes. Highly concentrated native icariin has lipophilic characteristics with limited aqueous solubility. To address functional beverage, sachet, and effervescent manufacturing requirements, our chemical engineering laboratory developed a proprietary physical microencapsulation and de-tannin fractionation process that produces a 10% HPLC water-soluble extract. It dissolves instantaneously in cold water (20°C) yielding an amber, completely transparent liquid without haze, precipitates, or heavy botanical astringency.

What regulatory compliance documentation accompanies export shipments?

Every shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific, signed Certificate of Analysis (COA) citing analytical methodology, HPLC chromatograms, Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Safety Data Sheet (SDS) according to GHS formats, Allergen Statement, Non-GMO Attestation, BSE/TSE Free Declaration, Residual Solvents Statement (USP <467>), and certified heavy metal/pesticide screening reports. We also support regulatory dossiers for commercial importation into the US, EU, Canada, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

What is the typical shelf life, bulk packaging, and warehouse storage conditions?

Standard packaging comprises 25 kg fiber drums with double-layer food-grade polyethylene interior heat-sealed bags and food-grade desiccant sachets. For smaller evaluation volumes, 1 kg and 5 kg double vacuum aluminum foil bags are available. The material retains full potency for 24 to 36 months when stored in original unopened containers, kept away from direct light, heat, and relative humidity above 60%.

Factory Catalog