Purestar Chem Enterprise Co., Ltd
Milk Thistle Extract, Silymarin, Silybin
Botanical source: Silybum marianum
Plant part used: Seed
Ingredient type: Botanical extract
Primary active complex: Silymarin
Key marker compound: Silybin (Silibinin)
CAS No. (Silymarin): 65666-07-1
Additional components: Isosilybin, Silychristin, Silydianin
Extraction solvents: Water and grain alcohol
Appearance: Yellow to yellow-brown powder
Taste profile: Naturally bitter
Standardization: Available in multiple silymarin and silybin grades
Identification methods: TLC
Assay methods: UV-Vis, HPLC
Solubility: Partly soluble in alcoholic solutions
Nature: 100% plant-derived
Description:
Milk thistle extract is a botanical ingredient obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum, a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. As a well-established plant extract, milk thistle extract is widely used in nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and functional ingredient applications due to its clearly defined phytochemical profile and consistent composition.
The primary active complex in milk thistle extract is silymarin, a group of naturally occurring flavonolignans concentrated from milk thistle seeds through controlled extraction processes. Silymarin consists mainly of silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, and silydianin. Among these components, silybin is typically present at the highest level and is commonly used as a marker compound for evaluating milk thistle extract quality and standardization.
Milk thistle extract is produced using water, grain alcohol, or a combination of both solvents to efficiently concentrate silymarin while maintaining the natural balance of plant constituents. Depending on extraction conditions and formulation requirements, milk thistle extract can be supplied in multiple grades with different silymarin and silybin contents. This flexibility allows milk thistle extract to be applied across a wide range of product categories without being limited to a single specification.
In appearance, milk thistle extract is
typically a fine yellow to yellow-brown powder with a naturally bitter taste.
The extract demonstrates stable physical properties and partial solubility in
alcoholic solutions, making it suitable for various formulation systems. Due to
its plant origin and standardized composition, milk thistle extract is widely
recognized as a core botanical ingredient in liver-oriented and
antioxidant-positioned formulations worldwide.
All specifications of Milk Thistle
Extract：
NO.
PRODUCT NAME
SPECIFICATION
NO.
PRODUCT NAME
SPECIFICATION
1
SILYMARIN
EXTRACTED BY ACETONE
UV70%
4
SILYMARIN
EXTRACTED BY ETHANOL
UV 80%
SILYBIN&ISOSILYBIN≥30%
UV 80%
SILYBIN&ISOSILYBIN≥30%
HPLC 50%
HPLC 50%
HPLC 55%
HPLC 55%
HPLC 60%
HPLC 60%
2
SILYMARIN
EXTRACTED BY ETHYL
ACETATE
UV80%
SILYBIN&ISOSILYBIN≥30%
5
Water Soluble Silybin
Silybin Meglumine75%
(HPLC)
Silymarin Meglumine
96%
(UV)
HPLC 50%
6
SILYBIN
HPLC70%，HPLC80%，HPLC85%，
HPLC90%，HPLC95%，HPLC98%
HPLC 55%
HPLC 60%
3
SILYMARIN WATER
SOLUBLE
UV 20% ，UV40%， UV45%
Function:
1. Milk thistle extract is valued as a botanical ingredient primarily due to its silymarin and silybin content, which are associated with antioxidant-related activity.
2. The silymarin complex in milk thistle extract is often discussed in relation to supporting normal cellular integrity in metabolically active tissues.
3. Milk thistle extract is commonly included in formulations designed to support balanced lipid metabolism and bile-related physiological processes.
4. As a plant-derived flavonolignan complex, milk thistle extract is suitable for long-term nutritional formulations emphasizing botanical stability and ingredient consistency.
Application:
1. Milk thistle extract is widely used in dietary supplements such as capsules, tablets, powders, and compound blends.
2. Silymarin-containing milk thistle extract is applied in functional foods and nutraceutical products as a standardized plant extract ingredient.
3. Milk thistle extract is also incorporated into cosmetic and personal care formulations, particularly those positioned around antioxidant or botanical concepts.
4. Due to its adaptable specification range, milk thistle extract can be formulated together with vitamins, minerals, and other botanical extracts.
Milk Thistle Extract — FAQ Section
1. What is Milk Thistle Extract and how is it defined from a compositional perspective?
Milk Thistle Extract is a botanical ingredient obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum. From a compositional perspective, Milk Thistle Extract is defined by its naturally occurring flavonolignan complex known as silymarin. Silymarin is a mixture of related compounds, primarily including silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, and silydianin, which together determine the characteristic properties of Milk Thistle Extract.
2. What is the relationship between Milk Thistle Extract, silymarin, and silybin?
Milk Thistle Extract refers to the overall plant-derived extract, while silymarin represents the principal active complex concentrated from the seeds. Silybin is the most abundant and analytically significant component within the silymarin complex. In commercial practice, Milk Thistle Extract is commonly standardized according to total silymarin content, with silybin used as a key quality indicator.
3. Is Milk Thistle Extract a single-compound ingredient or a multi-component extract?
Milk Thistle Extract is a multi-component botanical extract rather than a single isolated compound. Although silybin is often highlighted due to its high proportion, the functional characteristics of Milk Thistle Extract arise from the combined presence of all major silymarin constituents rather than from silybin alone.
4. How is Milk Thistle Extract typically produced and standardized?
Milk Thistle Extract is typically produced using water, grain alcohol, or their combinations to selectively concentrate silymarin from milk thistle seeds. By adjusting extraction and purification parameters, Milk Thistle Extract can be supplied in different grades with varying silymarin and silybin levels, allowing flexibility for different formulation requirements.
5. What physical characteristics are commonly associated with Milk Thistle Extract?
Commercial Milk Thistle Extract usually appears as a fine yellow to yellow-brown powder with a naturally bitter taste. The appearance of Milk Thistle Extract may vary depending on silymarin concentration, extraction method, and processing conditions. Partial solubility in alcoholic solutions is a typical characteristic of silymarin-rich Milk Thistle Extract.
6. How is the quality of Milk Thistle Extract tested and verified?
Quality control of Milk Thistle Extract involves both identification and quantitative analysis. Techniques such as TLC are commonly used for botanical identification, while UV-Vis and HPLC methods are applied to determine silymarin and silybin content. These analytical methods help ensure batch-to-batch consistency and specification compliance for Milk Thistle Extract.
7. In which types of formulations is Milk Thistle Extract commonly used?
Milk Thistle Extract is widely used in dietary supplements, nutraceutical products, and functional foods. Due to its standardized silymarin content and stable physical properties, Milk Thistle Extract is suitable for capsules, tablets, powders, and compound botanical blends. It is also used in cosmetic and personal care formulations emphasizing plant-derived and antioxidant-oriented ingredients.
8. How should Milk Thistle Extract be handled and stored to maintain quality?
Milk Thistle Extract should be handled in clean, dry conditions and stored in tightly sealed containers to minimize exposure to moisture, heat, and light. Proper storage helps preserve the compositional stability of silymarin and silybin within Milk Thistle Extract throughout its shelf life.
Looking for a reliable supplier of Milk Thistle Extract, Silymarin, and Silybin?
Request detailed specifications, available grades, bulk pricing, or technical documentation today. Our Milk Thistle Extract is supplied with consistent quality standards and professional analytical support to meet dietary supplement, functional food, cosmetic, and industrial formulation requirements worldwide.
