ZL BOTANICALS · KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY

Extract ratio vs marker assay

Why a ratio and an analytical result answer different questions.

Educational reference—not medical advice, a supply promise or a universal manufacturing procedure.

What the ratio describes

An extract ratio describes a relationship between starting botanical material and extract under a stated definition. Ask whether the starting material is dry, whether the denominator is native extract or the commercial mixture, and whether carriers are included. Without these definitions a headline such as 10:1 is ambiguous and should not be used to rank two suppliers.

What an assay measures

A marker assay measures a defined constituent or group using a specified analytical method. The result depends on reference standards, sample preparation and reporting basis. A dry-basis result cannot be compared directly with an as-is result without moisture information. A high ratio does not establish a high marker content, and neither measurement alone establishes clinical benefit.

A fair comparison checklist

Request the ratio definition, extraction medium, carrier percentage if present, marker method and batch-specific result together. Check that the botanical species and plant part match. If these differ, record the materials as separate candidates and evaluate them against the same finished-product acceptance plan rather than converting the ratio into a presumed dose equivalence.

Comparison record

Keep the two candidate specifications side by side and highlight every unmatched definition before asking for a sample.

Explore individual topics

Turn reading into a review plan

  • Confirm species, plant part and starting-material traceability
  • Record solvent, carrier, form and analytical method
  • Set acceptance criteria for the actual formulation and destination market

Make decisions using written specifications and genuine batch evidence. The checks described here are not claims of tests already performed or certificates held by ZL Botanicals; equipment and process explanations do not assert our manufacturing capabilities.

References and scope

Sources checked: . Source titles are retained as published. Status reflects this check, not a substitute for pre-market review.

  1. EMA — Quality of herbal medicinal products, Revision 3 (final, 2022)

    Current effective version listed by EMA: Revision 3. Sections 3–5 address declaration, manufacture and control; medicinal-product scope, not general food authorization.

  2. WHO — Quality control methods for herbal materials (2011)

    Published technical manual, not a product authorization or a universal finished-extract specification.