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Berberine

Berberine suppliers and sourcing guide

Berberine is a bright yellow, bitter isoquinoline alkaloid found in the roots, rhizomes and bark of plants such as Indian barberry (Berberis aristata), Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). It is sold mostly as berberine hydrochloride, made by extracting the plant material, converting the alkaloid to its salt and recrystallizing, or by synthesis. Brands buy a yellow crystalline powder, usually 97% or higher.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Berberine hydrochloride · Berberine HCl · Berberine sulfate
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of berberine

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Berberine hydrochloride

    The standard commercial salt, a yellow crystalline powder sold at high purity.

  • Berberine sulfate

    An alternative salt form with its own specification and molecular weight, so the berberine content per gram differs from the hydrochloride.

  • Standardized plant extracts

    Berberis aristata, Phellodendron or Coptis extracts standardized to a berberine percentage, with other alkaloids present.

  • Dihydroberberine

    A reduced derivative sold by some suppliers as a separate ingredient.

  • Lipid-based and dispersible forms

    Berberine combined with phospholipids or other carriers, at a lower berberine percentage.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (HPLC)
Berberine content by HPLC, stated as berberine hydrochloride or as berberine; check which, since the salt weight differs.
Related alkaloids
Palmatine, jatrorrhizine and other protoberberine alkaloids by HPLC, which indicate plant source and purity.
Identity
HPLC retention time, IR or UV compared with a reference standard, plus a chloride test for the hydrochloride.
Loss on drying
Water content; berberine hydrochloride is commonly sold as a hydrate.
Heavy metals and residual solvents
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, and solvents against USP <467>.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep berberine sealed in light-resistant containers in a cool, dry place. The bright yellow powder stains equipment and surfaces, so handle it with dust control and dedicated tools where possible. Shelf life and retest dates come from the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the assay basis (hydrochloride or berberine) and water content for each lot, and the plant source or synthetic route if stated. The EU safety review of berberine plant preparations is ongoing, so check the latest status before planning products for European markets.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Berberine suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking berberine suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell berberine? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of berberine can brands buy?

Common forms include berberine hydrochloride, berberine sulfate, standardized plant extracts, dihydroberberine and lipid-based and dispersible forms. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for berberine include?

Expect assay (HPLC), related alkaloids, identity, loss on drying, heavy metals and residual solvents and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should berberine be stored?

Keep berberine sealed in light-resistant containers in a cool, dry place. The bright yellow powder stains equipment and surfaces, so handle it with dust control and dedicated tools where possible. Shelf life and retest dates come from the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of berberine?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database classifies berberine as a natural health product under Schedule 1, item 2 (an isolate), with berberine hydrochloride and berberine sulfate as source ingredients. The same database entry lists source materials including Coptis chinensis rhizome and Hydrastis canadensis rhizome. Following a June 2022 European Commission mandate, EFSA prepared a draft opinion on the safety of plant preparations containing berberine and presented it to food businesses in an April 2026 stakeholder meeting.

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