In short: Fucus vesiculosus bladderwrack is supplied as four distinct commercial grades, and they are not interchangeable. Two are marker-standardised (fucoxanthin at 10%, iodine at 0.1%) and two are ratio extracts (4:1 and 10:1). The marker and the assay method both change what you are buying, so the grade should be chosen from your label claim first and your price target second.
Botanical identity and general specification
| Botanical identity | Fucus vesiculosus L. |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Whole herb |
| Shelf life | Two years when stored properly |
Compare Available Grades
4 commercial grades are available. The table below lists the declared marker, the assay method, a representative batch and the routine physical parameters for each.
| Grade | Plant part | Specification | Method | Representative batch | Particle size | Loss on drying | Sulphated ash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10% Fucoxanthin | Whole herb | Fucoxanthin ≥ 10.0% by UV (representative result 10.41%) | UV | LXYZ230518 | 98% through 80 mesh | ≤ 5.0%; result 3.91% | ≤ 5.0%; result 4.40% |
| Bladderwrack Extract Powder 0.1% Iodine | Whole herb | Iodine 0.1% by UV (representative result 0.12%) | UV | LXMJZ241217 | 98% through 80 mesh | ≤ 5.0%; result 4.12% | ≤ 7.0%; result 4.65% |
| Bladderwrack Extract Powder 4:1 | Whole herb | Extract ratio 4:1 (result complies) | Ratio | LXMJZ211101 | 98% through 80 mesh | ≤ 5.0%; result 3.74% | ≤ 7.0%; result 5.97% |
| Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10:1 | Whole herb | Extract ratio 10:1 (result complies) | Ratio | LXMJ190801 | 98% through 80 mesh | ≤ 5.0%; result 3.74% | ≤ 5.0%; result 3.67% |
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10% Fucoxanthin
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10% Fucoxanthin is a Fine yellowish-brown powder standardised as follows: Fucoxanthin ≥ 10.0% by UV (representative result 10.41%), determined by UV. The representative batch is LXYZ230518, milled to 98% through 80 mesh. Loss on drying is ≤ 5.0%; result 3.91% and sulphated ash is ≤ 5.0%; result 4.40%.
Botanical identity for this grade is Fucus vesiculosus L., plant part Whole herb.
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 0.1% Iodine
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 0.1% Iodine is a Fine brown powder standardised as follows: Iodine 0.1% by UV (representative result 0.12%), determined by UV. The representative batch is LXMJZ241217, milled to 98% through 80 mesh. Loss on drying is ≤ 5.0%; result 4.12% and sulphated ash is ≤ 7.0%; result 4.65%.
Botanical identity for this grade is Fucus vesiculosus L., plant part Whole herb.
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 4:1
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 4:1 is a Fine brown powder standardised as follows: Extract ratio 4:1 (result complies), determined by Ratio. The representative batch is LXMJZ211101, milled to 98% through 80 mesh. Loss on drying is ≤ 5.0%; result 3.74% and sulphated ash is ≤ 7.0%; result 5.97%.
Botanical identity for this grade is Fucus vesiculosus L., plant part Whole herb.
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10:1
Bladderwrack Extract Powder 10:1 is a Fine brown powder standardised as follows: Extract ratio 10:1 (result complies), determined by Ratio. The representative batch is LXMJ190801, milled to 98% through 80 mesh. Loss on drying is ≤ 5.0%; result 3.74% and sulphated ash is ≤ 5.0%; result 3.67%.
Botanical identity for this grade is Fucus vesiculosus L., plant part Whole herb.
Grade comparison: bladderwrack extract powder
| Your requirement | Grade to specify | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need a fucoxanthin label claim | 10% Fucoxanthin | Fucoxanthin is a quantified, declared marker — suitable for a formulated claim |
| You need a declared iodine contribution | 0.1% Iodine | Iodine is the declared marker; express the dosage in µg iodine per serving |
| You need a general botanical base at low cost | 4:1 | Ratio grades carry no declared marker; sold on identity and ratio |
| You need a more concentrated general base | 10:1 | Same logic as 4:1 with a higher extraction ratio |
Buyer Decision Guide
Work through these in order, because each one narrows the next:
- Start from the claim, not the percentage. Identify which marker your label or customer specification names. A grade that declares a different marker is a different product, whatever its headline number.
- Fix the assay method in writing. UV and HPLC results are not interchangeable for the same material. State the method you require on the specification.
- Ask for the batch, not the sheet. A specification describes a grade; the COA describes the batch you will actually receive. Require the batch number to appear on the packing list.
- Check the routine parameters too. Loss on drying and sulphated ash tell you about process consistency. A result far outside the representative range is worth questioning even if the marker value is on target.
- Confirm mesh size against your process. Particle size affects blending, tabletting and hydration behaviour, and it can usually be adjusted if you state your requirement up front.
Qualification and COA Review
Every grade on this page is produced at the same certified manufacturing site, and each batch is released against its own certificate of analysis. When you review the COA, confirm four things: the batch number matches your order documents; the assay method is the one you specified; the marker result sits inside the declared limit; and the physical parameters (particle size, loss on drying, sulphated ash) are reported rather than left blank.
For first orders, requesting a retention sample alongside the shipping documents makes incoming inspection considerably easier.
Certification coverage for this product line
Botanical extract powders in this range are produced at the certified Zhashui site of Shaanxi Longsheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd., which holds five third-party-issued certificates: FSSC 22000 (certificate CN26/00005265, issued by SGS United Kingdom Ltd, valid 13 Jul 2026 – 12 Jul 2029), ISO 22000:2018 (CN26/00005266, issued by SGS United Kingdom Ltd, valid 13 Jul 2026 – 12 Jul 2029), SGS cGMP (CN26/00005948, valid 12 Aug 2026 – 12 Aug 2027), Star-K Kosher Pareve (account NCZSI67Q, valid through 31 Mar 2027) and Halal (3391260000, issued by Shandong Halal Certification Service, valid 28 Jun 2026 – 25 Jun 2029). The original certificate documents are published on the certificate register for Shaanxi Longsheng Biotechnology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 10% fucoxanthin and 4:1 bladderwrack extract?
The 10% fucoxanthin grade declares a quantified marker (fucoxanthin by UV) on the specification and COA, so you can support a fucoxanthin label claim. The 4:1 grade declares only the extraction ratio, with no quantified marker. They are different products at different price points and are not direct substitutes.
Why is iodine specified as 0.1% rather than a higher percentage?
Fucus vesiculosus naturally accumulates iodine, but high iodine intake is a genuine regulatory and safety concern. The 0.1% grade gives a controlled, declared contribution that can be dosed predictably, which is easier to defend in most markets than a high-iodine material.
Which method is used to assay fucoxanthin, and does the method matter?
The assay is by UV. The method matters because fucoxanthin results are method-dependent — a UV result and an HPLC result for the same material are not automatically comparable. Always confirm which method the certificate states before comparing two suppliers.
Can I get samples of more than one grade to compare?
Yes. Because the four grades behave differently in formulation, comparing at least the marker-standardised grade and one ratio grade side by side is a practical way to decide. State the grades you want when you request samples.
Is the fucoxanthin content verified batch by batch?
Each specification carries a representative batch number and the corresponding result. Ask for the COA of the actual batch you will receive, not only the specification sheet, and confirm the batch number matches your shipping documents.
What particle size do these grades have?
The grades shown are milled to pass 80 mesh (98% through 80 mesh). If you need a different particle size for tabletting or blending, ask — mesh size is a specification item that can usually be adjusted.
How should loss on drying and ash be read on the COA?
Loss on drying measures residual moisture and volatile content; ash measures total inorganic residue. Both are limited on the specification (≤ 5.0% for most grades) and the representative result is stated alongside. A result comfortably inside the limit indicates a consistent drying and extraction process.
Does a lower-priced ratio grade meet the same food-safety requirements?
Food-safety requirements apply to the material you ship, not to the grade tier. All grades are produced at the same certified site; what differs is the declared marker and the extraction ratio. Ask for the COA of your specific batch regardless of which grade you buy.
Request a Grade Comparison
Send the grade you are considering, your target marker value, the method you need it declared by, and your destination market. We will reply with the matching specification, a representative batch COA and a sample offer.
Practical next step: send your requirement as an inquiry, or write to gshuai@long-bio.com.