Shatavari Extract Adulteration & Authenticity: Species, Starch and the Saponin Number

1. The wrong Asparagus

Asparagus adscendens — traded in parts of India under the same “safed musli” name that also covers Chlorophytum borivilianum — and other Asparagus species have been reported as substitutes or admixtures for A. racemosus root. They look similar dried and pass a foam test. The control is TLC or HPTLC against an A. racemosus reference standard, with the band pattern compared, and for disputes a DNA-based identification. Specify the binomial on the COA and require the identity test to name the reference.

2. Starch and carrier bulking

Shatavari root is itself starchy, which makes starch a convenient diluent. The signals are a saponin result that sits exactly at the limit lot after lot, a low water-soluble extractive for the claimed grade, and a bland taste. Maltodextrin as a declared spray-drying carrier is legitimate; undeclared it is dilution. Ask for carriers and their percentage and the herb-to-extract ratio on the specification.

3. Aerial parts and whole plant

The tuberous root is the traded material and the traditional one. Stems and cladodes are cheaper and carry a different saponin and flavonoid profile. A specification that says only “Asparagus racemosus extract” leaves the door open; write root into the plant-part line and ask for the identity test to be run on the root reference.

4. Helping the saponin number

Gravimetric total saponins is a weighed fraction, so any saponin-rich material that co-extracts lifts it. This is the most consequential adulteration commercially, because it is the number the price is set on. The defence is an orthogonal measurement: shatavarin IV by HPLC against a reference standard, reported per lot, so a gravimetric number that has drifted away from the marker profile is visible. The standardisation guide sets out how the two methods relate.

5. Moisture as a hidden diluent

Not an adulteration by intent but the same effect: a hygroscopic extract that has taken on water is heavier and weaker. Loss on drying with a tight limit (NMT 6% on our EU-grade specification) and a resealed-drum discipline keep the assay honest between the COA and your incoming test.

Controls in one table

Failure mode	Test	Specification clause
Species substitution	TLC / HPTLC vs A. racemosus reference; DNA on dispute	Botanical name stated; identity to comply with named reference
Starch / carrier bulking	Water-soluble extractive; taste; declared carriers	Carriers and % declared; herb-to-extract ratio stated
Aerial parts	Identity on root reference; profile review	Plant part: root
Saponin inflation	Shatavarin IV by HPLC per lot	Gravimetric assay plus HPLC marker reported
Moisture	Loss on drying	LOD NMT 6% (EU grade)

What we do

Root-only material with the binomial on every document, TLC identity against reference, gravimetric assay with the batch value printed, shatavarin IV by HPLC on request, and a published COA so the pattern can be checked before a sample is ordered.