Testing & Quality
Analytical Review Built Around the Ingredient
Botanical quality is not demonstrated by one generic test panel. QBI evaluates identity, active-compound content, supplier documentation, and contaminant-testing status according to the ingredient, production lot, and commercial requirement.
Our goal is to give formulators useful batch-specific information without implying that every material has undergone testing that has not actually been performed.
QBI's Approach
Testing the Claim That Actually Matters
A certificate of analysis is useful only when the test, sample, and reported result correspond to the material being evaluated.
QBI begins with the product specification: botanical identity, plant part, ingredient format, target active or marker compound, and any customer-specific requirements.
Supplier documentation is reviewed as part of that process. Independent analytical testing may then be used to confirm active-compound content, evaluate a new source, investigate inconsistent results, or qualify representative material.
The appropriate testing scope can differ between an isolate, a standardized extract, and minimally processed botanical material. QBI therefore does not apply one blanket testing statement to every ingredient we supply.
Potency verification is not a full contaminant panel.
A laboratory result confirming nuciferine, mesembrine, honokiol, magnolol, THP, akuammine, or another target compound does not by itself establish heavy metals, pesticides, microbial status, or residual solvents.
QBI communicates these testing categories separately so buyers can understand exactly what documentation is available for the material being offered.
Different Tests, Different Questions
Active-Compound Verification and Contaminant Testing
Both can be important, but they serve different purposes and should not be collapsed into one generic “tested” claim.
Identity, Potency & Marker Verification
This category asks whether the material contains the botanical constituent or standardized active represented in the specification, and at what measured concentration.
- Active-compound assay
- Marker-compound measurement
- Comparison with supplier specification
- Evaluation of lot-to-lot consistency
- Botanical or ingredient identity work where appropriate
Contaminant & Quality Screening
This category addresses potential contaminants and manufacturing-quality concerns rather than active-compound concentration.
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Residual solvents
- Microbial testing
- Other analyses appropriate to the ingredient or application
Qualification Workflow
How QBI Evaluates Specialty Botanical Ingredients
Define the Ingredient
Establish botanical source, plant part, ingredient format, target active or marker, supplier specification, and intended commercial requirement.
Review & Verify
Review supplier documentation and use independent analytical work where appropriate to evaluate representative material, confirm active-compound content, or resolve uncertainty.
Match Documentation to the Lot
Identify the analytical information applicable to the material being offered and communicate additional testing needs before commercial purchasing when possible.
Understanding Testing Status
What Buyers May See in a QBI Documentation Package
Different lots may have different testing histories. The important question is what documentation applies to the specific material being considered.
Active or Marker Result Available
The offered material has analytical information for the target compound or marker applicable to that batch, lot, or representative material.
Current Contaminant Results Available
When a current full-panel result applies to the offered lot, QBI can provide the applicable contaminant-testing documentation.
Testing Can Be Arranged
If the existing package does not meet a buyer's commercial testing requirements, additional laboratory work may be arranged before or in connection with the order.
Fit-for-Purpose Analysis
The Analytical Method Has to Match the Question
Not every botanical active is best measured with the same method, instrument, reference standard, or sample preparation.
QBI works with qualified analytical laboratories and evaluates methods in the context of the ingredient being tested. Chromatographic and other fit-for-purpose approaches may be used depending on the target analyte and analytical objective.
This matters particularly with uncommon botanical constituents. A laboratory's ability to list an analyte on a report does not automatically establish that the method is suitable for every matrix, concentration range, or ingredient format.
When a result conflicts materially with the expected specification, QBI may investigate the analytical method, reference material, sample preparation, supplier documentation, or testing laboratory before drawing a commercial conclusion.
Questions We Care About
Before relying on a number, understand how it was generated.
- What exactly was measured?
- Was the method appropriate for this analyte and matrix?
- Was a suitable reference standard used?
- Does the reported result match the stated specification?
- Does the result apply to the offered production lot?
- What additional testing does the application require?
Batch-Specific Documentation
What QBI Can Provide
The documentation package varies by ingredient, supplier, production lot, testing status, order quantity, and customer requirement. Depending on the material, available documentation may include:
- Supplier certificate of analysis
- Independent active or marker assay
- Available full-panel contaminant results
- Botanical source and plant-part information
- Ingredient specification
- Safety data sheet where available
- Country-of-origin information
- Storage and handling information
- Packaging and commercial availability
- Additional supplier declarations where applicable
QBI does not treat a documentation package from one production lot as proof that all future lots have identical analytical results.
Commercial Orders
Need a Specific Full-Panel Requirement?
Testing requirements are easiest to manage when they are defined before the commercial order is finalized.
If a current full-panel result already applies to the offered lot, QBI can provide that documentation.
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.
The required panel and laboratory turnaround time should be established in advance when testing is a condition of purchase.
Tell Us What Your Project Requires
When requesting material, include any mandatory:
- Active-compound specification
- Heavy-metal limits
- Pesticide requirements
- Microbial requirements
- Residual-solvent requirements
- Documentation or laboratory requirements
- Timeline constraints
This allows QBI to confirm testing status and any additional laboratory work before the order moves forward.
Buyer Education
Learn How to Evaluate a Botanical CoA
QBI's Botanical Verification Guide explains how to compare supplier claims, specifications, analytical methods, batch documentation, and laboratory results when evaluating specialty botanical ingredients.
Testing FAQ
Common Questions About QBI Testing
Does QBI independently test every lot for potency?
Testing scope varies by ingredient, supplier, qualification status, and production lot. QBI uses independent analytical testing where appropriate for qualification, verification, and investigation and identifies the documentation applicable to the material being offered.
Does every QBI lot have a full contaminant panel?
No. Full-panel status varies by material and lot. When a current full-panel result applies to the offered material, it can be supplied. Additional full-panel testing can be arranged for qualifying commercial orders when required.
Why doesn't QBI just rely on the supplier CoA?
Supplier documentation is an important part of ingredient qualification, but uncommon botanical actives can require additional scrutiny. Independent testing can help confirm specifications, compare lots, evaluate new sources, or investigate unexpected results.
Can I specify my own testing requirements?
Yes. Commercial buyers should provide required specifications, panels, limits, and documentation expectations as early as possible so QBI can confirm what is already available and what additional testing may need to be arranged.
Can I request the CoA before ordering?
Buyers evaluating current material can request available specifications and analytical documentation through QBI's sample and CoA request process.
Evaluate the Material, Not Just the Claim
Request Current Specifications and Documentation
Tell QBI which ingredient you are evaluating, your target specification, estimated quantity, application, and any required testing. We can share current material availability and the documentation status applicable to it.