What is the standard apigenin specification for supplement-grade chamomile extract, and how is it measured?

Supplement-grade chamomile dry extract is most commonly standardised to 1%, 2%, or 4% apigenin by HPLC-UV or HPLC-DAD. Apigenin is the primary flavone marker in Matricaria chamomilla, and its quantification by HPLC is the accepted analytical method in EU ingredient supply chains. The COA should state the exact method, reference standard, and chromatographic conditions used, not only the final percentage result.

Is EU-Organic certified chamomile available, and what documentation comes with it?

Yes. EU-Organic chamomile certified under Regulation 2018/848 is available in both whole flower and standardised extract forms. Each organic lot is accompanied by a transaction certificate (TC) issued by the relevant control body (e.g. Ecocert, LACON, or CERES). Brands wishing to label finished products as organic must hold their own organic operator certification — the TC documents chain of custody at the raw-material level.

What particle size specification should a capsule manufacturer request for chamomile dry extract?

For direct capsule filling, a D90 of ≤250 µm is the typical baseline specification for standardised chamomile dry extract powders. High-speed filling lines or formulations requiring enhanced blend homogeneity may require a micronised grade with D90 ≤100 µm. Particle size distribution should be confirmed by laser diffraction (per ISO 13320) and reported on the technical datasheet or COA supplement.

Are there authorised EFSA health claims for chamomile that supplement brands can use on EU labels?

No health claim for chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is currently authorised under EU Regulation 1924/2006 following EFSA evaluation. Supplement brands must not use unauthorised claims on product labelling. Brands pursuing a traditional herbal medicinal product (THMP) registration under Directive 2004/24/EC may reference traditional use within that framework, but this is a distinct regulatory pathway from food supplement marketing.

Chamomile Extract Sourcing for Supplement Brands

Why Chamomile Specification Matters for Supplement Formulation

For nutraceutical and supplement brands, chamomile is not a single commodity—it is a specification decision. The active marker compound is apigenin (a flavone aglycone), present in the flower heads as its glycoside apigenin-7-glucoside, alongside the essential-oil constituent α-bisabolol and the blue-pigmented chamazulene generated during steam distillation. Formulators must define which marker they are standardising to, at what level, and by which analytical method before procurement begins.

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Forms & Specifications Relevant to This Buyer Type

Standardised Dry Extracts (Most Requested)

The preferred form for capsule, tablet, and softgel applications is a standardised hydroethanolic dry extract, typically spray- or freeze-dried onto a carrier (maltodextrin or silicon dioxide). Key parameters for supplement-grade material:

Apigenin content: Commonly standardised to 1%, 2%, or 4% apigenin by HPLC — confirm the method is referenced to a validated pharmacopoeial or in-house HPLC procedure.
Assay method: HPLC-UV or HPLC-DAD is the industry standard for apigenin quantification; request explicit chromatographic method details on the COA.
α-Bisabolol: Where aromatherapy or synergistic positioning is claimed, GC/MS quantification of α-bisabolol in liquid or powdered extract is available from select suppliers.
Moisture content: ≤5% on dry basis is standard for powdered extracts to maintain flow and stability in capsule filling.
Extract ratio: Commonly expressed as 4:1 to 10:1 DER (Drug-to-Extract Ratio), per the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) convention — verify this is declared on the COA alongside the native extract equivalent.

Particle Size for Capsule Compatibility

Particle size directly affects capsule filling yield and blend homogeneity:

Standard milled powder: D90 ≤ 250 µm is typical for direct encapsulation.
Micronised grades: D90 ≤ 100 µm may be requested for enhanced dispersibility or tableting.
Flow agents: Spray-dried extracts with 1–2% silicon dioxide added improve Carr Index for high-speed capsule filling lines.

Request a particle size distribution report (laser diffraction, e.g. ISO 13320) as part of the technical dossier.

Whole Flower & Cut-Sifted Flower (Secondary Forms)

For brands manufacturing loose-fill or blend products, whole dried flower heads and cut-sifted (C/S) flower are available in EU-Organic grade. Ph. Eur. monograph *Matricariae flos* (01/2021:0404) defines the minimum essential oil content (≥4 mL/kg) and foreign matter limits applicable to botanical raw material.

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Certificate of Analysis — Minimum Specs for EU Compliance

Every batch supplied through TANDOR carries a batch-specific COA covering:

| Parameter | Method / Reference |

|---|---|

| Apigenin content (%) | HPLC (supplier validated method) |

| Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) | ICP-MS — per EC Reg. 1881/2006 limits |

| Pesticide residues | GC/MS + LC-MS/MS — per EU MRL Reg. 396/2005 |

| Total aerobic count, yeast & mould | Ph. Eur. 2.6.12 / 2.6.13 |

| Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) | HPLC-FLD — per EC Reg. 1881/2006 |

| Moisture / loss on drying | Ph. Eur. 2.2.32 |

| Particle size distribution | ISO 13320 (for powdered forms) |

Affirm with your QA team that the COA format is compatible with your Article 6 / Annex III Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC) documentation requirements before placing an order.

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EU-Organic Certification

Organic chamomile is certified under EU-Organic Regulation 2018/848, which replaced 834/2007 and 889/2008 and has applied in full since 1 January 2022. Certified material is accompanied by a transaction certificate (TC) issued by an accredited control body (e.g. LACON, Ecocert, CERES). Brands incorporating organic chamomile into finished products and wishing to carry the EU organic logo must themselves hold organic operator certification — TANDOR can advise on chain-of-custody documentation requirements.

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EFSA Health Claim Status

Formulators should be aware of the current EU regulatory position: as of the date of this publication, no health claim for chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has been authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Claims relating to relaxation, sleep, or digestion must be reviewed against EFSA's published opinions and the EU Register of authorised claims before use on product labelling. Traditional use positioning under Directive 2004/24/EC (THMPD) may be applicable for registered herbal medicinal products — a separate regulatory pathway from food supplements.

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Origin, MOQ & Processing Realities

Origins available: Hungary, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Germany are the primary production regions for EU and international chamomile. Domestic Romanian cultivation is also available for certain seasons. TANDOR operates as a Romania-based sourcing intermediary with multi-origin access, enabling like-for-like origin substitution when seasonal crop quality varies.

Minimum order quantities: MOQ varies by form and origin:

Standardised dry extracts: typically 25 kg per batch (single drum)
Whole/C/S flower: typically 50–100 kg (single sack or small pallet)

MOQ flexibility for qualification samples (1–5 kg) is available on request for R&D and method validation purposes.

Lead times: Standardised extracts require 4–8 weeks from order confirmation depending on extraction batch scheduling. In-stock material from bonded warehouse positions can ship within 5–10 business days.

Processing & traceability: TANDOR consolidates documentation from grower declarations through to extraction and analytical testing, providing a single-point technical dossier. All material is handled within EU GDP-aligned logistics where cold-chain or controlled-atmosphere storage is specified.

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Why Source Chamomile Through TANDOR

Multi-origin flexibility — avoid single-source supply risk across Hungarian, Bulgarian, Egyptian, and Romanian origins.
Batch-level COA as standard — not per-campaign averages; every batch shipped has its own analytical report.
EU-Organic compliant documentation — transaction certificates and control body details supplied with every organic lot.
Specification-first approach — TANDOR works from your technical specification sheet, not from available stock pushed toward you.
Romania-based EU entity — intra-EU shipping, EUR invoicing, no third-country customs complexity for most EU supplement manufacturers.

Chamomile Extract for Nutraceutical & Supplement Brands