The Cat's Claw Powder Extract 10:1 by CONIUNCTA® (INCI: Uncaria Tomentosa) is a fine brown powder based on the whole plant. A characteristic feature of this extract is its oxindole alkaloids, foremost among them mitraphyllin. For formulators in the cosmetics and food industries, this provides a dry, easily dosable raw material with a defined marker profile. This article outlines the botanical origin, the documented compound profile, and the fields of application, each closely aligned with the available data sheets (TDS, CDS, SDS).
Uncaria Tomentosa: Origin and Plant Part of the Cat's Claw Extract
Uncaria Tomentosa, known as Katzenkralle in German and as Cat's Claw in English, is a climbing plant whose common name derives from its hook-shaped thorns. The Uncaria Tomentosa Extract described here is obtained, according to the TDS, from the whole plant. The country of origin and manufacture is China.
Production takes the form of an extract at a ratio of 10:1, using ethanol and water as extraction solvents. The powder is carried on maltodextrin; the composition consists of 80 to 99 percent Cat's Claw extract and 1 to 20 percent maltodextrin. The result is a brown powder with a characteristic odor and taste, a particle size of 80 mesh (at least 95 percent pass-through), and a density of 0.50 to 0.70.
Mitraphyllin and Further Markers: The Compound Profile in the CONIUNCTA® Uncaria Extract
The lead marker of this extract is the oxindole alkaloid mitraphyllin, stated in the CDS with an indicative content of 21 to 90 mg/g. As a reference, the CDS cites a literature content of 0.3 to 1 percent for the dried plant, as well as the Ph. Eur. requirement of at least 0.3 percent total oxindole alkaloids.
Further compounds documented in the CDS include:
- Isomitraphyllin: 0.1 to 0.3 percent
- Quinovic Acid Glycosides: 3 to 5 percent
This results in an extract with a clearly defined alkaloid and glycoside profile, suitable for marker-based incoming goods and batch testing.
What Is Uncaria Tomentosa Extract and What Is It Used for in Formulations?
A frequently asked question is what a Cat's Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) Extract is and in which applications it is used. In short: it is a plant extract from the whole Cat's Claw plant, standardized via the 10:1 extract ratio and characterized by oxindole alkaloids such as mitraphyllin.
For cosmetics, the CDS documents a profile described as "skin stimulating" and "microcirculation enhancement" (referring to mitraphyllin), as well as an antioxidant orientation based on the phytochemical profile. For food applications, the CDS lists mitraphyllin as a "nutritional antioxidant" and as a traditional dietary ingredient. As application targets, the CDS names acetylcholinesterase and nicotinic receptors for cosmetics, and metabolic health and reduction of oxidative stress for the food sector. Important for practice: promotional claims require independent substantiation by the party placing the product on the market, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 655/2013.
Powder Form: Handling, Solubility, and Usage Concentration
As a Cat's Claw Powder, this raw material differs from liquid carrier extracts: it is supplied as a dry, free-flowing powder on a maltodextrin basis, making it suitable for applications where a water- or oil-based carrier system is not desired, such as dry blends, sticks, capsules, or powder-based cosmetic precursors.
Regarding usage concentration, the CDS specifies a recommended range of 2 to 5 percent for cosmetics (1 to 3 percent in the "At a Glance" section) and 0.5 to 2 percent for functional foods and beverages. The SDS classifies the product as not hazardous under Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008; skin protection is not required, though vapor and aerosol exposure should be avoided in case of aerosol formation.
Suitability, Certification Status, and Storage
According to the CDS, the extract is suitable for cosmetics (Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009) and for food applications, and is vegan-suitable. This product is offered in conventional quality (not a BIO/organic article). CONIUNCTA® is generally EU organic certified under Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (DE-OEKO-001); details on our certifications can be viewed separately.
Shelf life is 24 months when stored dry between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius in the original sealed container. The SDS recommends a storage temperature of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, tightly sealed, cool, dry, and protected from heat and moisture. A temperature- and storage-dependent change in the powder's color cannot be ruled out.
Documentation and Sourcing for Industry
For technical evaluation, CONIUNCTA® provides the complete documentation (TDS, SDS, CDS); an overview can be found in the technical documentation. The Cat's Claw Powder Extract is part of our classic plant extracts. Anyone wishing to review the raw material can view the Cat's Claw Powder Extract in the CONIUNCTA® shop and request samples and documentation.
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