Product Description
Nutralighting Direct Supply of Authentic Zanthoxylum Supercritical CO₂ Extract – A featured ingredient for oral care and digestive support formulations, high in sanshool content with a pure flavor.
Product Description
Zanthoxylum Extract (Sichuan Pepper Extract) is a standardized active ingredient powder refined from authentic Shaanxi green Sichuan pepper peel using supercritical CO₂ extraction. Its main active compound is hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, with a quality standard of 0.5%-1% sanshool, offering multiple benefits such as digestive support, oral health, antibacterial properties, and soothing effects. It is widely used in health foods, functional foods, and personal care products. Zanthoxylum Extract is made from selected Shaanxi authentic green pepper peel, prepared using supercritical CO₂ extraction, high in sanshool content, and is a premium raw material for seasoning and pain relief products.
Sichuan pepper is the most commonly used spice and warming herb in China, with Shaanxi and Sichuan being the main production areas.
Why Choose Nutralighting
- Sufficient annual production capacity, can schedule production according to order requirements
- Raw material reserves can support continuous and stable supply
- Flexible Customization: Supports adjustments of extraction ratio, standardization level, and packaging specifications as needed, with a complete technical dossier.
- Custom packaging: 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg aluminum bag packaging, supports customer logo printing
Basic Information
| Item | Content |
| Extract Name | Zanthoxylum Extract |
| Botanical Name | Zanthoxylum bungeanum / Zanthoxylum schinifolium / Sansho (Japan) |
| Part Used | Fruit |
| English Common Name | Sichuan Pepper Extract, Zanthoxylum Extract, Zanthoxylum bungeanum Extract |
| Appearance | Brown to tan powder |
| Odor | Characteristic |
| Taste | Numbing, pungent |
| Extraction Solvent | CO₂ / Ethanol / Water (customizable) |
| Main Ingredients | Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool / Sanshool |
| Main Specification | Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool 0.5%-1% |
| Target Market | China, Asia |
| Core Application Areas |
|
Standard Specifications (COA)
The following specifications are common reference values; the specific values are subject to each batch’s COA report.
| Test Items | Standard |
| Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool | Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool 0.5%-1% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤5.0% |
| Total Ash | ≤6.0% |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤1.0 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2.0 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤0.5 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤0.1 mg/kg |
| Pesticide residues (organochlorine/organophosphorus) | Compliant with USP <561> |
| Aflatoxin B1 | ≤5.0 μg/kg |
| Total aflatoxins | ≤10.0 μg/kg |
| Total microbial count (TAMC) | ≤1×10⁴ CFU/g |
| Yeasts and molds (TYMC) | ≤1×10² CFU/g |
| Escherichia coli | Not detected (1g) |
| Salmonella | Not detected (1g) |
Introduction of Plant Material
The raw material of this product is the dried mature peel of Rutaceae plants: green pepper Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. or prickly ash Z. armatum DC., mainly produced in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan, Hebei, and other regions. Prickly ash is an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine for warming the middle and relieving pain. It is recorded in Volume I of the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Core Efficacy
The following overview of efficacy is based on published scientific research and traditional applications; specific effects need to be evaluated comprehensively in combination with product dosage form and usage dosage.
Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper) extract has traditional application value in digestive health and oral care. Its characteristic component, hydroxy-α-sanshool, has local anesthetic and soothing effects. Studies show that hydroxy-α-sanshool can exert a soothing effect by activating and desensitizing TRPV1 channels; zanthoxylum oil can promote gastrointestinal motility, helping to relieve bloating and indigestion. In terms of antibacterial activity, Zanthoxylum extract inhibits various foodborne and oral common bacteria. Its volatile oil components (limonene, laurelene) also show certain soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.
Regulations and Regional Market Access Status
The following information is compiled based on publicly available regulatory materials. Actual market access should be based on the latest regulations of the target country.
| Region/Country | Regulatory Status | Key Notes |
| European Union (EFSA) | Traditional herbal medicine / Food supplements | EU Directive 2004/24/EC regulates traditional herbal medicines; extracts used as ingredients in food supplements must comply with EU Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (some traditional herbs have simplified procedures). |
| China (NHC/NMPA) | Health food raw materials / New resource foods | According to the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and standards such as GB 16740; some varieties have been included in the list of health food ingredients or can be used in general food, and the latest regulatory status of each variety needs to be specifically verified. |
| Japan (MHLW) | Food additives / Health food ingredients | Extracts are used as food additives or health food ingredients; some varieties need to be declared under the functional food labeling system. |
Application Directions and Recommended Dosage
| Application direction | Recommended dosage | Suitable dosage forms | Remarks |
| Oral solid beverages / Instant powders | According to specifications | Strip-packed, bag-packed, can-packed | Can be combined with other functional ingredients, recommended to control amount using standardized extracts |
| Pressed candy / capsules | Determined according to specifications | Tablets, hard capsules | Each unit is recommended to contain 250~500 mg of extract, 2~3 times daily |
| Oral liquid / functional beverages | Determined according to specifications | Glass bottles, PET bottles | It is recommended to disperse in warm water first before adding to the system, pay attention to pH stability |
| Personal care and skincare products | 0.1~2.0%(w/w) | Lotion, serum, mask | Solubility and stability need to be evaluated according to the formulation system |
Recommended Daily Dosage Reference
The recommended addition levels for Zanthoxylum Extract vary depending on the application, with significant differences in standard dosages across different sectors:
Food processing sector
- Spicy hotpot bases: Keep the addition level between 0.01% and 0.06% to significantly enhance the numbing sensation whilst ensuring flavour stability.
- Compound seasonings: The recommended addition rate for water-soluble powder (10:1 ratio) is 0.1%-0.5%, suitable for water-based systems such as broths and sauces.
- Meat product preservation: Using an extract at a concentration of 0.1% achieves an E. coli inhibition rate of up to 92.3% and extends the shelf life by 30%.
- Feed additives: To improve palatability for livestock and poultry, the addition rate should be ≤0.02% to prevent an overly strong numbing sensation from affecting feed intake.
Cosmetics sector
When used in antibacterial skincare products, the standard recommended addition rate for Zanthoxylum Extract is 1%-5%, suitable for various aqueous solutions and cream formulations.
Safety and Compliance Tips
- The flavour intensity of the 10:1 extract is 10 times that of whole Sichuan pepper; it must be used as a substitute for whole Sichuan pepper after proportional conversion to avoid excessive numbing sensation.
- Direct contact with high-concentration extracts may cause a strong numbing sensation; it is recommended to wear a face mask for protection during handling.
Appendix: References
[1] Akoh C.C. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2000; 48: 1705-1709.
[2] Wang X. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2016; 192: 489-496.
[3] Zhang Y. et al., Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 2014; 29: 235-240.
Frequently Asked Questions
The recommended usage level varies by application: 0.01%–0.1% for beverages and oral care, 0.1%–1% for snacks and flavoring. Custom dosage guidance is available based on your formulation needs.
Yes. We offer adjustable sanshool content ranging from 5% to 98%, as well as various solvent extraction options to meet your specific application requirements.
Our Zanthoxylum Extract is 100% plant-derived and suitable for vegan and halal applications. Certifications can be provided upon request.
Our standard MOQ is 1 kg for sample orders and 25 kg for bulk orders. Smaller quantities may be available—please contact our sales team for details.
Yes, every batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA), along with MSDS, halal/vegan certificates, and other regulatory documents as required.
Absolutely. We support private labeling, custom packaging, and OEM formulations to meet the branding needs of our B2B partners worldwide.
Packaging & Shipping
Standard Packaging
- Standard packaging: 25 kg/drum with double-layer PE bag inside.
- Custom packaging: 1 kg/algae bag, 5 kg/can, or customized as per buyer requirements.
- Food-grade inner lining ensures product integrity during transit.
Shipping Terms
- Shipment method: By sea, by air, or by express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS).
- Lead time: 7–15 working days after payment confirmation for bulk orders.
- Sample orders: Shipped within 3–5 working days.
Shelf Life & Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Keep containers tightly sealed when not in use.
- Optimal storage temperature: 2°C–8°C for extended shelf life.
- Protect from strong odors and contamination.
