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Vitamin K1

Vitamin K1 suppliers and sourcing guide

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone, phytonadione) is the form of vitamin K made by green plants, a clear yellow, viscous oil. Commercial vitamin K1 is made by chemical synthesis, joining a menadione-derived naphthoquinone ring to a phytyl side chain, and contains mostly the trans isomer with a smaller share of cis. Because amounts per serving are in micrograms, brands usually buy it diluted, as a 1% or 5% powder on a carrier, as a beadlet, or as a dilution in oil.

Also known as
Phylloquinone · Phytonadione · Phytomenadione · CAS 84-80-0
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of vitamin K1

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

  • Pure oil

    High-purity vitamin K1 used by premix and beadlet makers; very light-sensitive and handled under subdued light.

  • Spray-dried powder

    K1 encapsulated in gum acacia, starch or maltodextrin at a stated percentage (1% and 5% are common), for tablets, capsules and premixes.

  • Triturations

    K1 spread on dicalcium phosphate or microcrystalline cellulose at a low percentage for easy, even blending.

  • Oil dilutions

    K1 diluted in vegetable or MCT oil for softgels and liquid drops.

What to check on the COA

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

Assay (HPLC)
Vitamin K1 content by HPLC, reported as percent or mg/g; the basis for microgram-level dosing.
Isomer ratio
Trans and cis phylloquinone by HPLC; pharmacopeia monographs limit the cis isomer.
Identity
HPLC retention time and UV spectrum against a phytonadione reference standard.
Loss on drying and particle size (powders)
Moisture and sieve analysis, which affect flow and how evenly a low-dose powder blends.
Heavy metals and microbiology
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, plus total aerobic count, yeast and mold and pathogens for diluted powders.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Vitamin K1 breaks down quickly in light, especially ultraviolet, and more slowly with heat and air, so keep it in light-proof, tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry place. Reseal opened powder packs promptly. Shelf life comes from the supplier specification, with HPLC assay as the retest check.

Lots and expiry dates

Dose from each lot's actual assay, since microgram-level dosing makes small potency differences matter. Record carrier and percentage for every lot and use FEFO.

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.

Vitamin K1 suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking vitamin K1 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.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of vitamin K1 can brands buy?

Common forms include pure oil, spray-dried powder, triturations and oil dilutions. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for vitamin K1 include?

Expect assay (HPLC), isomer ratio, identity, loss on drying and particle size (powders) and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should vitamin K1 be stored?

Vitamin K1 breaks down quickly in light, especially ultraviolet, and more slowly with heat and air, so keep it in light-proof, tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry place. Reseal opened powder packs promptly. Shelf life comes from the supplier specification, with HPLC assay as the retest check.

What is the regulatory status of vitamin K1?

21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for vitamin K at 120 mcg for adults and children 4 years and older. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists phytonadione as a source ingredient for vitamin K1.

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