Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract is one of the most widely used botanicals in liver-support supplements. When buyers compare quotations, the first figure they see is a silymarin percentage – most often 80% or 30%. It looks like a simple strength label, but it drives dose size, capsule count, cost per serving, and even how the powder behaves in production. This guide explains what the percentages actually measure, how 80% and 30% compare in real formulas, and when each one makes sense. Use this guide to choose the grade that fits your dose, format and budget.
What the Silymarin Percentage Actually Means
Silymarin is the standardized mixture of flavonolignans extracted from milk thistle seeds – primarily silybin (A and B), isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin. The percentage on the label is the total silymarin content in one gram of extract. An 80% silymarin powder contains 800 mg of active flavonolignans per 1,000 mg of extract; a 30% powder contains 300 mg per 1,000 mg, with the rest made up of the plant matrix and carrier.
Standardization exists because raw seeds vary from harvest to harvest. The percentage lets formulators dose the actives accurately instead of guessing from raw material weight. Two measurement methods dominate:
- UV assay: fast and economical; reads total silymarin as one group.
- HPLC assay: separates and quantifies individual flavonolignans; more specific and preferred for premium specifications.
The same 80% label can produce slightly different numbers between methods, so always check which method appears on the Certificate of Analysis.
Silymarin 80% vs 30% at a Glance
- Active density: 80% delivers roughly 2.7 times more silymarin per gram than 30%.
- Capsule size: a 200 mg silymarin serving needs only 250 mg of 80% extract, versus about 670 mg of 30% extract.
- Serving logic: typical liver-support protocols use 200-400 mg silymarin per day, so 80% fits neatly into one or two capsules.
- Cost per kilogram vs cost per dose: 80% costs more per kilogram but usually less per milligram of active – always compare landed cost per serving, not per kilo.
- Handling: both grades are hygroscopic; higher concentrates can be stickier and benefit from flow aids in capsules and premixes.
- Label claims: 80% supports a clear “standardized to 80% silymarin” claim; 30% suits blends where milk thistle is a secondary active.
When Silymarin 80% Is the Right Choice
- Liver-support capsules where silymarin is the hero ingredient and the label claim drives the sale.
- Dose economy: fewer or smaller capsules improve compliance, which is a selling point for daily-use products.
- Research alignment: most clinical liver studies use standardized extracts delivering 200-400 mg silymarin per day, which maps directly onto an 80% grade.
- Premium positioning: brands can state the standardized percentage on the front of the pack.
Core Nutrix supplies Silymarin 80% (UV/HPLC) in conventional form plus water-soluble and acetone-soluble grades, so the same active density is available for capsules, sachets, and drink applications.
When 30% Still Has a Place
- Multi-ingredient blends where milk thistle plays a supporting role alongside a larger hero ingredient.
- Powdered drink mixes and teas where formula weight is less constrained than in capsules.
- Budget SKUs that can accept a larger capsule or two-capsule serving.
With a 30% grade, pay extra attention to what makes up the remaining 70% – ask for the carrier identity, residual-solvent results, and the assay method on the COA.
Quality Checks Beyond the Percentage
- Method on the COA: confirm whether UV or HPLC was used, and whether silybin content is reported separately.
- Contaminants panel: heavy metals, pesticides, microbiology, and residual solvents should all be tested per batch.
- Solubility grades: choose water-soluble material for beverages and shots, or specialty grades for specific matrices.
- Independent verification: request third-party testing (SGS, Eurofins) to validate the supplier’s own COA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 80% silymarin always better than 30%?
For the same silymarin dose, 80% means a smaller, cleaner capsule and usually a lower cost per milligram of active. A 30% grade can still be sensible in blends where milk thistle is a secondary botanical.
How is the 80% content measured?
By UV or HPLC against a silymarin reference standard. The method is stated on the COA; HPLC is the more specific of the two.
Can you supply water-soluble silymarin?
Yes. We supply Silymarin 80% in conventional, water-soluble and acetone-soluble grades, each with its own specification sheet.
What documentation ships with the extract?
Every batch ships with a COA and MSDS. Allergen statements, GMO status and third-party test reports are available on request.
What is the MOQ for silymarin?
Standard commercial packaging is a 25 kg drum, and trial quantities are supported. Contact us for the current MOQ and a free sample.
Can silymarin be used in drinks?
Yes – the water-soluble grade disperses clearly in beverages and shots, while the conventional grade suits capsules and tablets.
How should silymarin be stored?
Keep it sealed in a cool, dry place away from light. Shelf life is 24 months under these conditions.
Silybin vs Total Silymarin: Know What You Are Buying
Silymarin is not one molecule but a family of flavonolignans. Silybin (also written silibinin) is the most abundant and best-studied member, and some specifications are written around silybin alone – for example, “Silybin 30%” instead of “Silymarin 80%”. These are different units and cannot be compared directly. When you evaluate quotations, confirm whether the active is expressed as total silymarin or as silybin, and ask for the full flavonolignan breakdown on the COA so you are comparing like with like.
A well-characterized 80% silymarin extract reports the silybin A and B isomers alongside isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin. That level of detail matters for label substantiation and for defending your product if a retailer or regulator asks how the claim was verified.
How to Compare Supplier Quotations Fairly
- Convert every quote to cost per milligram of silymarin, not cost per kilogram of powder.
- Ask for the COA method (UV vs HPLC) and the silybin breakdown.
- Compare solubility grades against your dosage form – capsules, sachets and drinks need different materials.
- Check lead time, MOQ and the documentation set (COA, MSDS, allergen and GMO statements).
- Request a free sample and validate it in your own lab or through a third party before the first bulk order.
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What you can expect from Core Nutrix
- Every batch released against the specification you approve, with a full COA (assay by HPLC/UV, heavy metals, microbiology, residual solvents, pesticide residue screened to EU MRLs).
- Free samples with COA and MSDS - freight collect, credited against your first bulk order.
- Third-party test reports, allergen and GMO statements, shelf-life and stability data supplied on request.
- Documentation support for your market entry: EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, US 21 CFR 101.93 structure/function support, California Proposition 65 statements.
- One working day to a quotation, OEM/ODM projects from 100-500 kg, private label, custom specifications and packaging.
This is technical, business-to-business information for manufacturers and brand owners - not a consumer label and not medical advice. Where a claim is made about a finished consumer product, it must comply with the rules of the destination market; we supply the supporting technical documentation so your team can review it. Ask us for anything your market requires - we are glad to help.
MOQ cho OEM là 25 kg. Chúng tôi gửi hàng đến Việt Nam qua DHL, FedEx hoặc đường biển, với mọi điều kiện EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP. Liên hệ để được tư vấn cụ thể. – Core Nutrix Team
Chào bạn, chúng tôi quan tâm đến silymarin 80% dạng tan trong nước. Xin hỏi MOQ cho đơn hàng OEM với nhãn riêng là bao nhiêu? Và có hỗ trợ gửi hàng đến Việt Nam không?
Very helpful article. As a private label brand owner, I appreciate the part about custom specifications. We ordered 80% with custom particle size for better flow in our capsule machine, and it worked perfectly.
Apakah ada syarat khusus untuk pengiriman sampel ke Indonesia? Kami ingin mencoba silymarin 80% untuk produk herbal. Berapa lama waktu pengiriman laut untuk pesanan besar?
Tidak ada syarat khusus; sampel gratis dengan MOQ 1 kg dan ongkos kirim ditanggung pembeli. Untuk pesanan besar via laut, waktu pengiriman sekitar 20-30 hari tergantung rute ke Indonesia. – Core Nutrix Team
Excelente artículo. Soy formuladora en Argentina y siempre me preguntan por qué no usar 30% para ahorrar. Ahora tengo argumentos claros sobre el costo por miligramo de activo. Definitivamente pediré muestras del 80%.
Czy dla silymarin 80% możecie dostarczyć analizę HPLC dla każdej partii? Potrzebujemy tego do rejestracji produktu w UE. Jakie są koszty dodatkowych badań?
Tak, każda partia jest testowana HPLC i dołączamy raport do COA. Dodatkowe badania przez stronę trzecią są dostępne za opłatą; skontaktuj się z nami, aby uzyskać wycenę. – Core Nutrix Team
文章很清晰，特别是关于80%和30%的成本对比。作为澳洲的进口商，我们更倾向于用80%来减少胶囊数量，提高客户依从性。已经联系销售要样品了。
Yes, we offer DDP/DDU shipping terms for bulk orders. The shelf life is 24 months sealed; once opened, we recommend using within 6 months if stored in a cool, dry place. – Core Nutrix Team
Hello, we are a supplement manufacturer in Nigeria. Do you offer DDP shipping for bulk orders of silymarin 80%? Also, what is the typical shelf life once the drum is opened?
Wir setzen seit Jahren 30% in unserer Leberformel ein. Nach diesem Artikel haben wir auf 80% umgestellt und konnten die Kapselgröße reduzieren. Die Kunden sind zufrieden, und die Kosten pro Portion sind sogar gesunken.
Sim, enviamos amostras grátis para o México (frete por sua conta). Amostras em estoque saem em 1-3 dias; entrega para a Cidade do México via DHL leva cerca de 4-6 dias. – Core Nutrix Team
Vocês enviam amostras grátis para o México? Preciso avaliar a silymarin 80% convencional para uma cápsula de 300mg. Qual o prazo de entrega para a Cidade do México?
Très utile. En tant que responsable qualité, je vérifie toujours la méthode analytique sur le COA. L’article explique bien pourquoi HPLC est plus fiable que UV. Merci pour la transparence.
Numuneler 1-3 gün içinde kargoya verilir; Türkiye’ye genellikle 3-5 iş günü sürer. Evet, OEM/ODM kapsamında özel partikül boyutu ve çözünürlük ayarlayabiliyoruz. – Core Nutrix Team
Merhaba, 80% silymarin için numune gönderimi Türkiye’ye ne kadar sürer? Ayrıca, özel partikül boyutu ile üretim yapabiliyor musunuz?
We’ve been sourcing milk thistle extract for years, and this is the clearest comparison I’ve read. The part about capsule count and cost per serving is spot on. We will request a quote for 80% water-soluble for our liquid supplement line.
Buongiorno, per una produzione di 100 kg di silymarin 80% convenzionale, quale prezzo per kg potete offrire con termini CIF verso l’Italia? E il certificato Halal è incluso?
Per un ordine di 100 kg possiamo offrire un prezzo competitivo con termini CIF. Il certificato Halal è disponibile su richiesta. Contattateci per un preventivo dettagliato. – Core Nutrix Team
Gostei muito da explicação sobre como a concentração é medida. Já trabalhei com fornecedores que não informavam o método, e isso faz diferença na qualidade final. Vou testar a versão 80% na próxima formulação.
Yes, free samples are available with MOQ of 1 kg; you cover the freight. Stock samples ship within 1-3 days via DHL or FedEx to Ireland. – Core Nutrix Team
Hi, do you have free samples of silymarin 80% available for evaluation? We are in Ireland and need about 200g for a trial batch. What is the lead time for a sample shipment?
Excellent article. We are a brand owner in Saudi Arabia and currently use 30% in a liver support blend. After reading this, we will move to 80% for a standalone product. The dosage table made the decision easy.
Здравствуйте, каков срок хранения силимарина 80% в порошке? И какие сертификаты вы можете предоставить для экспорта в Россию?
Срок хранения — 24 месяца в запечатанной упаковке в прохладном сухом месте. Мы предоставляем ISO, HACCP, Kosher и Halal сертификаты по запросу, а также COA и MSDS на каждую партию. – Core Nutrix Team
As an R&D manager in India, I appreciate the explanation of UV vs HPLC measurement. We had issues with inconsistent silymarin content from another supplier; knowing the method matters a lot. This article convinced me to request a sample of your 80%.
Tak, oferujemy sylimarinę 80% w wersji konwencjonalnej, rozpuszczalnej w wodzie i acetonie. Dla OEM/private label MOQ wynosi 25 kg, a personalizacja obejmuje granulację, rozpuszczalność i opakowanie. – Core Nutrix Team
Czy możecie dostarczyć sylimarinę 80% w formie rozpuszczalnej w wodzie z indywidualną specyfikacją? Jaka jest minimalna partia dla OEM z własnym brandem?
80%は確かにコスト効率が良いですね。日本のサプリメント市場では錠剤サイズが重要なので、この比較は非常に参考になりました。水溶性タイプのサンプルも頼んでみます。
Yes, every batch ships with a COA and MSDS; third-party testing is available on request. HPLC/UV results are traceable. Payment terms are flexible (T/T, L/C) depending on order size and destination. – Core Nutrix Team
Do you provide third-party testing reports along with the COA for silymarin 80%? We need HPLC results for our UAE registration file. Also, what are your payment terms for bulk orders?
We have used Core Nutrix for other botanicals and the COA consistency is excellent. This article clarifies why we should switch our milk thistle from 30% to 80% for our EU brand. The smaller capsule size is a big plus for our customers.
Bonjour, pour une commande test de Silymarin 80% hydrosoluble, quels sont les délais d’expédition vers la France pour un échantillon et pour une commande en vrac ?
Les échantillons en stock partent sous 1 à 3 jours. Pour le vrac (25 kg), comptez 7 à 15 jours selon personnalisation. Expédition par DHL/FedEx/UPS vers la France. – Core Nutrix Team
Muy buen desglose entre 30% y 80%. Como formuladora en España, siempre elegimos 80% cuando el cardo mariano es el activo principal, y 30% solo en mezclas secundarias. Los datos de dosis y costo por porción me confirmaron que vamos por buen camino.
Amostra grátis com MOQ de 1 kg; o frete fica por sua conta. Para bulk, o MOQ é 25 kg (um tambor). Enviamos para o Brasil via DHL, FedEx ou UPS, com prazos de 7 a 15 dias. – Core Nutrix Team
Preciso de silymarin 80% para uma fórmula de cápsulas. Qual é o MOQ para amostra e para o pedido em bulk? Enviam para o Brasil?