Saw Palmetto Extract (Serenoa repens) — 25% / 45% Fatty Acids for Men’s Health Formulas

Product Overview

Saw Palmetto Extract is the liposterolic extract of the dark-brown berries of Serenoa repens (syn. Sabal serrulata), the dwarf palm native to the southeastern United States. It is one of the best-selling men’s-health botanicals in the US and European supplement markets, and China is the world’s principal processing and export hub for the standardized extract. The commercial benchmark grades are standardized to 25% or 45% total fatty acids (with β-sitosterol and other phytosterols as marker actives), supplied as a free-flowing brown-yellow to dark-brown powder or as a viscous greenish-brown oleoresin.

Water-soluble ratio extracts (4:1, 10:1) are also available for herbal teas, gummies and tablet formats where the lipophilic extract cannot disperse. Global demand keeps growing on the back of prostate-health, healthy-aging and hair-care (anti-DHT) positioning, and the extract remains a top-five botanical by sales in the US natural-channel supplements market.

Key Features

• Standardized liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens berries — the global benchmark men’s-health botanical
• Commercial grades: 25% and 45% total fatty acids (GC-quantified); water-soluble 4:1 and 10:1 ratio extracts available
• Rich in lauric, myristic, oleic and caproic acids plus phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol)
• Produced from carefully dried, identity-verified berries with batch-level traceability from raw material to finished lot
• Solvent options include supercritical CO₂ extraction for premium clean-label positioning
• Suitable for softgels, tablets, capsules, gummies, liquid supplements and hair-care (topical anti-DHT) formulations
• Full documentation — COA, MSDS, TDS and chromatographic fingerprints — available on request
• Free of GMO material; allergen- and irradiation-free processing available on request

How It Works

• 5-Alpha-reductase modulation: the free fatty acid fraction (notably lauric and myristic acid) is the principal marker fraction studied for inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5α-reductase — the mechanism that underlies most prostate-support and hair-care claims.
• DHT receptor interference: extract components are reported in the literature to interfere with the binding of DHT to cytosolic and nuclear androgen receptors in prostate tissue, complementing the enzyme-level effect.
• Phytosterol contribution: β-sitosterol and related sterols support the extract’s traditional use for urinary-tract comfort and healthy cholesterol metabolism, and are included as marker actives in most specifications.
• Anti-inflammatory signalling: in-vitro work shows down-regulation of inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis in prostate epithelial tissue, an effect attributed to the combined fatty-acid / sterol matrix rather than a single molecule.
• Topical route for hair care: in scalp formulations the lipophilic fraction is delivered in oil or emulsion phases, where it is positioned to reduce local DHT signalling around the follicle.

Typical Applications

• Prostate & men’s health: BPH-support softgels and tablets, urinary-tract comfort blends, healthy-aging formulas for men 45+
• Hair care (supplement route): anti-hair-loss capsules and gummies combining saw palmetto with pumpkin seed, biotin and horsetail
• Hair care (topical route): anti-DHT scalp serums, shampoos and leave-on tonics positioned for thinning hair
• Sports & vitality: testosterone-support and vitality stacks, often paired with Tongkat Ali, Fenugreek and Zinc
• Pet supplements: prostate and urinary support chews for aging male dogs
• Combination formats: multi-ingredient prostate blends with Pygeum africanum, Pumpkin Seed Extract, Lycopene, Zinc and Stinging Nettle Root
• OEM / ODM: full private-label softgel, gummy and capsule development for men’s-health brands

Key Specifications

Botanical Name	Serenoa repens (W.Bartram) Small, syn. Sabal serrulata
Plant Part Used	Fully ripe, carefully dried berries (fruit)
CAS Number	84649-81-0 (saw palmetto extract)
Standardization	25% or 45% total fatty acids (GC method); β-sitosterol content stated per lot
Alternative Grades	Water-soluble 4:1 and 10:1 ratio extracts; supercritical CO2 extract on request
Appearance	Brown-yellow to dark-brown free-flowing powder (oleoresin grade: viscous greenish-brown liquid)
Odour & Taste	Characteristic fatty, waxy odour; slightly acrid taste
Total Fatty Acids	≥ 25.0% or ≥ 45.0% per grade specification
Loss on Drying	≤ 5.0%
Residual Solvents	Compliant with USP <467> / ICH Q3C limits (CO2 grade: solvent-free)
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤ 10 ppm
Arsenic (As)	≤ 2 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤ 10,000 cfu/g; Salmonella absent; E. coli absent
Typical Use Level	160–320 mg per daily serving of the 45% fatty-acid grade (softgel); 320–640 mg for the 25% grade
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging
Packaging	25 kg fibre drum / carton with double inner PE liner; nitrogen-flushed aluminium pails for oleoresin grade
MOQ	Available on request

Formulation Notes

• Match the grade to the dosage form. Liposterolic 25% / 45% fatty-acid extracts are lipophilic and belong in softgel oil fills or lipid-based delivery systems. For gummies, effervescent formats or herbal-tea blends, choose the water-soluble 4:1 or 10:1 grade instead — forcing the lipophilic extract into an aqueous matrix leads to ringing, sediment and label-claim failures.
• Protect the fatty-acid fraction from oxidation. The extract is rich in unsaturated C18 chains; add natural tocopherols or rosemary extract antioxidant, minimize headspace in softgel fills, and pack finished goods in nitrogen-flushed or opaque containers.
• Support the claim stack. Commercial prostate formulas typically pair saw palmetto with Pumpkin Seed Extract, Pygeum, Lycopene, Zinc and Stinging Nettle. Combination stacks dominate the bestseller lists; single-ingredient softgels compete mainly on price.
• Standardize your QC on fatty acids, not total extract. Specify the GC fatty-acid profile and β-sitosterol content on every lot, and ask for chromatographic fingerprints. Appearance alone does not distinguish 25% from 45% material.
• Label language varies by market. Structure-function claim wording for prostate support differs between the US, EU and other jurisdictions — review your target-market regulations before printing labels. VeraVita supplies documentation to support your regulatory review.
• Odour management: the characteristic waxy odour can carry through in chewable formats; encapsulation or flavour masking may be needed for gummies.

Storage & Handling

Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool (below 25 °C), dry, well-ventilated place, protected from light, heat and oxygen. The powder is lipophilic and dust-fine — handle with gloves, eye protection and dust extraction, and avoid ignition sources. Reseal partially used packaging promptly; nitrogen-blanket opened containers of the oleoresin grade. As with any botanical raw material, review the MSDS before first use and observe the use restrictions applicable in your market.

Why Choose VeraVitabio

• Bulk B2B supply of plant extracts, superfoods, mushroom extracts and functional ingredients — from sample quantities to full container loads
• Full documentation — COA, MSDS, TDS, chromatographic fingerprints and specification sheets available on request
• OEM / ODM support — private-label softgel, gummy, capsule and finished-product development for men’s-health brands
• Export experience to the US, EU, Middle East and Southeast Asia, with documentation support for importers and brand owners
• Stable supply chain — vetted manufacturing partners with batch-level traceability and pre-shipment verification

Request a Quote — Sourcing Saw Palmetto Extract for a men’s-health, prostate-support or anti-DHT hair-care line? Send your specification, required grade (25% / 45% FA, water-soluble) and target volume to info@veravitabio.com or WhatsApp +86 157 7194 0528. Samples and full documentation are available for qualified B2B buyers. Web: veravitabio.com

For dietary supplement and cosmetic formulation use. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Specifications shown are for general reference; full Certificate of Analysis and supporting documentation are available upon request. Formulators are responsible for confirming permitted use levels, claim language and regulatory status in their target markets.