Ashwagandha is the root of Withania somnifera. Testing measures withanolides, the steroidal lactones used as its marker compounds, and USP monographs exist for ashwagandha root, powdered root and powdered root extract.
Ashwagandha withanolide testing at Vanguard Laboratory: $250 per sample, with results in 3 to 5 business days.
Withaferin A, one of the withanolide marker compounds: 2D structure drawn from the PubChem record (CID 265237).
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, root
withanolides, for example withaferin A, withanolide A and withanoside IV
C28H38O6, 470.6 g/mol
CAS 5119-48-2
botanical ingredient
Latin name: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, family Solanaceae
Other names: Indian ginseng, winter cherry
Withanolides are extracted from the root, extract or finished product, separated by reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection and measured against reference standards for the named withanolides. Marker peaks are identified by retention time against the standards, with LC-MS where the specification calls for it.
USP calculates withanolides as the sum of withanolide aglycones, calculated as withanolide A, and withanolide glycosides, calculated as withanoside IV. Tell us whether your specification uses that basis, a total of named withanolides or individual compounds.
Full testing to the USP Ashwagandha Root, Powdered Ashwagandha Root and Powdered Ashwagandha Root Extract monographs is available and quoted, including identification and withanolide content by HPLC. Send the monograph and the material type, and we confirm the monograph’s tests with your quote.
$250
Chromatographic purity and mg per unit by the method matched to the compound, identity against a reference standard. 1 unit.
| Add-on test | Price |
|---|---|
| Identity and impurities | |
| FTIR identity | $90 |
| CHNS elemental analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur) | $125 |
| Chiral purity (where a chiral method exists; new methods quoted) | $250 |
| Water, solvents and salt form | |
| Water content by Karl Fischer | $60 |
| Residual solvents | $150 |
| Counterions: chloride, acetate and TFA | $70 |
| Assay | |
| Assay, % w/w (with raw powder purity; $250 together) | +$50 |
| Metals and conformity | |
| Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead | $150 |
| Conformity: purity and quantity on more units from the same lot | $100 per extra unit |
10% off for 10 or more samples.
Need something else? Other tests are available on request.
Purity and quantity is $250 per sample (1 unit) and raw powder purity is $200 for 50 mg, with results in 3 to 5 business days. Send the material sealed, labeled and protected from light, and tell us whether it is root powder, extract or a finished product, with the label claim.
The basis matters. A total measured by a non-specific method, such as a gravimetric or UV absorbance assay, can read higher than a sum of named withanolides measured by HPLC. Compare results on the same basis.
Yes. Withaferin A can be reported as a single named withanolide alongside the total.
Yes. Send the product with the label claim and its basis; the extraction is matched to the matrix.
No. The $250 test covers withanolide identity, purity and quantity against reference standards. Full testing to the USP Ashwagandha Root, Powdered Ashwagandha Root and Powdered Ashwagandha Root Extract monographs adds the monographs' own tests and is quoted.
Send the product name, the form of the ingredient and the label claim for a quote, or submit a sample with the sample form.
