Green tea extract starts with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This extract pulls out a blend of polyphenols, catechins, and antioxidants that often find their way into foods, supplements, cosmetics, and even certain industrial applications. Looking at it in a lab, you can expect a fine powder, sometimes off-white to pale yellow, rarely in other forms like crystalline flakes or a diluted liquid solution. The choice of form usually depends on the handling needs or the final use, but the core properties stay the same.
Manufacturers often list the solid powder form with a molecular formula around C22H18O11, which stands for the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). That’s the compound most researchers and supplement makers talk about, since it brings most of the health buzz. The density of this powder falls in the range of 0.39–0.80 g/cm3. Purity can swing between 50% up to 98% EGCG by high-end extraction standards. In the process, companies use water, ethanol, or other safe solvents, and the safety profile reflects compliance with food-grade or pharmaceutical standards.
When buying by the kilo, the HS Code for green tea extract most often comes under 2932999099—grouping it under other heterocyclic compounds. Each batch carries attention to moisture content, around 5%, and solubility in both water and alcohol. Some facilities manufacture it as a fine, uniform powder, while other batches show up as denser, crystalline flakes. Either way, it packs all the antioxidants, and the look might only matter for mixing, stacking, or shipping purposes.
Looking at a structural diagram, EGCG and related catechins in green tea extract show benzene rings with plenty of hydroxyl (-OH) groups. Those little -OH arms jump into action, bonding with free radicals and doing much of the work chemists and nutrition experts find interesting. A single molecule brings a molecular weight (or molar mass) of about 458.37 g/mol. EGCG’s structure shapes everything, from its color and flavor to its chemical reactivity and extraction process. That structure guides scientists in adjusting for maximum stability in raw ingredient processing—simple tweaks in pH or temperature during extraction keep these molecules from breaking down.
Raw, bulk material can feel gritty or slick depending on moisture content and micron size. Sometimes it lumps up in humid shipping containers, and proper handling during transport means using vacuum-packed liners, sealed drums, and desiccants. In a hand, it feels smooth and light, which explains how it disperses so quickly in liquids compared to other powdered extracts. The powder format comes most often, but liquid extracts based on food-grade solvents answer the call for specific beverage or pharmaceutical applications, still with the same core chemical signature.
Green tea extract brings low volatility, produces no noticeable odor, and stays stable at room temperature if kept away from sunlight and moisture. Its color can shift slightly based on storage and time. Labs control for contamination—avoiding adulterants like pesticides or heavy metals by testing during the raw material stage. By regulation, food- and pharma-grade extracts undergo microbiological screens for common pathogens.
Handling green tea extract in large quantities calls for proper dust masks and gloves, given that fine powder can irritate sensitive skin or airways. Direct ingestion outside of normal supplement doses brings mild toxic effects in rare cases, mostly in people with preexisting liver issues or when misused in highly concentrated liquid form. Regulatory agencies check these issues, and industry guidelines urge full disclosure on hazard identification. In workplace settings, safety data sheets provide info on fire risk (minimal), reactivity (almost nil), and first aid measures—a must for anyone working with industrial-scale raw materials.
This extract blends best when used fresh, as long-term exposure to air and humidity breaks down core catechins, dulling the antioxidant punch. Manufacturers stabilise their product using inert packaging and sometimes add food-safe antioxidants. The crystalline and powder forms dissolve easily in hot water, making them a top choice in teas, energy drinks, capsules, and cosmetic formulations like creams or serums that promise enhanced skin protection.
No hazardous chemical reactions pop up under normal use, but the extract does not mix well with strong acids or oxidising agents—so proper chemical storage matters for large processors. Transport follows standard packing group III protocols under the UN’s Globally Harmonized System, not falling under any dangerous goods category when unadulterated.
Behind that laboratory description lies the main reason people buy and use green tea extract: it harnesses the potent antioxidant activity of tea in a concentrated, stable form. Nutritionists and food formulators look for high EGCG content for use in supplements that claim metabolism support and cell protection. Beauty industry buyers ask for solubility and low residue, targeting clear, smooth textures for creams and gels. That’s why density, particle size, and purity end up at the center of every serious contract or research conversation. Wild claims aside, the core facts stay the same—every batch undergoes testing for heavy metals, pesticides, solvent residue, and microbial load, all in line with regional and international safety standards.
Challenges around green tea extract stem from both safety and authenticity. Counterfeit or adulterated batches still pop up in the global market, making routine lab verification a must. Chromatography-based fingerprinting and third-party verification help buyers avoid substandard raw material. Improving density and flow properties with patented drying methods—like spray or freeze drying—reduces clumping and ensures consistent dosing. Better packaging solutions, especially those that lock out moisture, extend shelf life and make global shipping more reliable. From an environmental perspective, pushing for water-based extraction and minimal solvent use reduces industrial waste and makes each kilogram of extract more sustainable. Bigger players now share transparent supply chain data, making it easier for downstream buyers to trace every batch back to the source.
Green tea extract stands out as a powder or, less frequently, in flakes or liquid solution. With a molecular formula commonly cited as C22H18O11 (EGCG), a bulk density averaging between 0.39–0.80 g/cm3, and a look that runs pale yellow to off-white, it packs chemical stability and ease of handling expected in industrial raw material streams. The product aligns with HS Code 2932999099 and requires solid documentation on every shipment, especially for pharma or food industries. From a chemistry standpoint, the array of polyphenols offers performance in both supplement and cosmetic markets, provided that purity, stability, and safety standards remain high.