Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of botanical ingredients does QBI supply?

QBI focuses on standardized botanical extracts, purified botanical isolates, high-purity extracts, and selected botanical materials where active-compound characterization is commercially important.

Current areas of focus include nuciferine / Sacred lotus, mesembrine / Kanna, honokiol and magnolol / Magnolia, tetrahydropalmatine / Corydalis, and akuammine / Akuamma.

What is the difference between an isolate and a standardized extract?

An isolate is a purified ingredient centered on one defined compound. A standardized botanical extract remains a multi-component botanical material but is produced or qualified to contain a defined concentration of a particular marker or active constituent.

Why doesn't QBI put “98%” in isolate product names?

QBI uses the product identity—such as Nuciferine Isolate, Honokiol Isolate, Magnolol Isolate, or THP Isolate—as the durable product name.

Exact assay belongs to the applicable batch-specific analytical documentation because production-lot results can vary.

Can I request a specific potency or standardization?

Yes. Include the target specification in your inquiry. Depending on the ingredient, that may be a percentage, minimum assay, concentration range, isolate requirement, marker specification, or another defined criterion.

Are the specifications on the website the exact results for every lot?

Not necessarily. Website descriptions identify the ingredient format and general commercial specification. Exact analytical results are batch-specific and should be reviewed in the documentation applicable to the material being offered.

Does QBI independently test every production lot?

Testing scope varies by ingredient, supplier, qualification status, and production lot.

QBI uses independent analytical testing where appropriate for supplier qualification, active-compound verification, comparison of candidate materials, or investigation of unexpected results. We identify the documentation applicable to the material being offered rather than representing every lot as having undergone the same testing program.

Does every QBI lot have a full contaminant panel?

No. Full-panel status varies by ingredient and lot. When a current full-panel result applies to the offered material, it can be supplied.

For commercial orders of 1kg or more, additional full-panel testing can also be arranged when required, with laboratory testing charged at pass-through cost.

What is the difference between potency testing and full-panel testing?

Potency or marker testing determines the concentration of a target compound such as nuciferine, mesembrine, honokiol, magnolol, THP, or akuammine.

A full contaminant panel addresses separate quality parameters such as heavy metals, pesticides, microbial specifications, residual solvents, or other ingredient-specific requirements.

Can I review a CoA before ordering?

Yes. Qualified buyers can request available specifications and analytical documentation for current material through the Request Specs & Sample form.

Can QBI arrange testing to meet our company's requirements?

Often, yes. Tell us the required test panel, limits, laboratory requirements, and timeline before the commercial order is finalized so we can determine what is already available and what additional laboratory work would be needed.

Does QBI provide samples?

Sample availability depends on the ingredient, current inventory, requested quantity, and commercial project. Submit the intended application and anticipated commercial quantity so we can determine what evaluation material is available.

Are samples free?

Sample pricing varies by ingredient and quantity. High-value isolates and specialty materials may require a paid evaluation quantity rather than a complimentary sample.

Can I buy small quantities?

Select ingredients may be available in small evaluation quantities. Nuciferine Isolate currently has direct-purchase options for 1g, 2g, 5g, and 10g.

Other materials can be requested through the sample and commercial inquiry process depending on availability.

Does QBI supply kilogram quantities?

Yes. QBI's commercial focus includes kilogram-scale and recurring ingredient supply. Availability, minimum order quantities, lead times, and pricing vary by material and production source.

What information should I include in a purchase inquiry?

The most useful inquiry includes the ingredient, target specification, expected quantity, intended application, desired timeline, delivery destination, and any mandatory testing or documentation requirements.

How long does a commercial order take?

Lead time depends on current inventory, supplier production, import logistics, testing requirements, quantity, and whether the material is already qualified and available.

QBI confirms current lead time as part of the commercial quote.

Can QBI source an ingredient that is not currently in the catalog?

Yes. QBI considers custom sourcing projects for specialized botanical extracts, purified constituents, and difficult-to-source botanical actives where there is a defined commercial requirement.

What makes a good custom sourcing request?

The strongest requests identify the botanical or target compound, desired ingredient format, target specification, evaluation quantity, anticipated commercial demand, timeline, and required analytical documentation.

Does identifying a supplier mean the material is already qualified?

No. A prospective supplier or product listing is only the beginning of the sourcing process. Representative material, documentation, analytical information, commercial capability, pricing, and other qualification factors may still need review.

Does QBI work only with U.S. manufacturers?

No. QBI works with international production partners and supports commercial buyers from its U.S. base. Supplier geography varies according to botanical origin, manufacturing capability, ingredient specialization, and commercial requirements.

Who does QBI primarily work with?

QBI primarily supports formulators, manufacturers, contract manufacturers, ingredient distributors, brands, sourcing teams, and commercial R&D programs.

Does QBI provide formulation or dosing advice to consumers?

QBI's primary role is botanical ingredient sourcing, qualification, documentation, and commercial supply. Product-development discussions with qualified commercial customers are handled in the context of their formulation and manufacturing requirements.

Where is QBI located?

Quality Botanical Imports is based in San Diego, California and works with production partners and commercial buyers across domestic and international supply chains.