Botanicals identity product testing is a multiphase process that focuses on the identity, physical characteristics, and chemical characteristics of specific botanicals and raw materials. This identity product testing facilitates quality assurance and ensures a safe and efficient finished product.
What Is the Goal of Botanicals Identity Product Testing?
The ultimate goal of botanicals identity product testing is to ensure that all of the ingredients used in the manufacturing process are developed based on key guidelines and specifications. This means that the identity and quality of all botanical materials must be verified and assured throughout the entire process.
This includes testing during the growing, harvesting and post-harvest handling periods, as well as any further processing of the botanical materials. This testing is imperative, as any careless practices performed throughout these stages could result in tainted or misidentified materials. All manufacturers should identify and work with botanical vendors who understand specific quality requirements.
If these steps are not taken, it could lead to raw materials or final products that do not meet specific guidelines. Since manufacturing processes impact the quality of herbal ingredients and botanicals, it is important to be aware of variables that could lead to poor-quality materials, including cross-contamination, environmental contamination and mislabeling.
How Are These Products Developed?
While focusing on botanicals identity product testing, manufacturers must implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). A high-quality botanical ingredient will use the correct plant part and species, will be safe for human use or consumption, and will be unadulterated and yield the claimed potency.
To verify the chemistry of the botanical product, a range of methods may be used, such as microscopic, high-performance, thin-layer chromatography and liquid chromatography. Manufacturers should also be testing botanicals products for heavy metals and pesticides.
Microbiological testing is required to ensure that all of the botanical raw materials are free of pathogenic bacteria, especially if the finished botanical product will be marketed for human consumption. Since raw materials tend to contain a high microbial load, they often require sanitization.
Physical characteristics, such as moisture content, particle size, density, pH and stability are also taken into consideration. The overall chemical testing process will vary depending on the botanical raw materials and other materials used in the final product’s formulation. Once all testing is complete, information and documentation on all processes related to the purity, quality, identity and safety of the finished product should be stored and maintained.
Interested in Testing These Types of Products? A Great Opportunity Awaits
Manufacturers of finished products rely on honest, valued, panelists to test their development in use. By becoming a product panelist, you will be given the opportunity to voice your opinion based on your personal experience. By providing your feedback, you will be speaking on behalf of the consumer, ensuring the best possible product reaches the marketplace.
Whether you are interested in testing the latest botanical product before it becomes available to the public or are interested in the latest technology, these studies provide a memorable, safe and rewarding experience. If you are interested in this unique opportunity, please apply to become a panelist today.
