Guarana
Guarana is Paullinia cupana, a climbing vine of the Amazon basin in Brazil, and the trade uses its seeds, which are high in caffeine. Seeds are removed from the fruit, roasted, then ground to a powder or extracted with water or water-ethanol and dried. Extracts are usually standardized to caffeine by HPLC, commonly 10% to 22%, and seed powder is sold with a typical caffeine range.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Roasted, ground seed sold with a typical caffeine content of a few percent, used in drink mixes and bars.
Water or hydroalcoholic extract sold with a declared caffeine percentage by HPLC, commonly 10%, 12% or 22%.
Seed powder or extract from certified organic farms in Brazil, with the certificate tied to the lot.
Liquid concentrate for beverages, sold by caffeine content per milliliter.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the caffeine assay is usually repeated at retest.
Caffeine content varies with seed origin, roasting and extraction, so record the caffeine result for each lot and dose from it rather than from the nominal grade. Keep carbon isotope or identity results when buying high-caffeine extracts.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.510 lists guarana (Paullinia cupana) among natural flavoring substances that may be safely used in food.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists guarana gum (Paullinia cupana) with the technical effects flavor enhancer and flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.510.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Paullinia cupana (POL-NF-00572) concerns only the fruits and seeds and lists them as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Caffeine natural health product monograph lists Paullinia cupana seed as a source material, allowed only if caffeine is isolated and purified from it.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)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.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Rouen, France
Nexira is a French family-owned maker of acacia gum, other natural gums and plant extract powders, including acerola, baobab, guarana, ginseng and mushroom extracts, for food, drink and supplement companies.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include seed powder, standardized seed extract, organic and liquid extract. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity, caffeine assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, mycotoxins and PAHs and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the caffeine assay is usually repeated at retest.
21 CFR 172.510 lists guarana (Paullinia cupana) among natural flavoring substances that may be safely used in food. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists guarana gum (Paullinia cupana) with the technical effects flavor enhancer and flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.510. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Paullinia cupana (POL-NF-00572) concerns only the fruits and seeds and lists them as not novel in food. Health Canada's Caffeine natural health product monograph lists Paullinia cupana seed as a source material, allowed only if caffeine is isolated and purified from it.
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.