In recent years, the athletic performance, muscle preservation, and longevity supplement spaces have witnessed an exponential surge in demand for natural, non-hormonal anabolic ingredients. Central to this paradigm shift is Ajuga Extract, typically derived from Ajuga decumbens or Ajuga turkestanica, which is naturally rich in bioactive ecdysteroids, most notably Turkesterone and 20-Hydroxyecdysone. These phytosteroids are widely acclaimed for supporting protein synthesis, accelerating muscle recovery, and reducing fatigue without altering androgen receptor profiles, establishing them as the gold standard for clean sports nutrition.
Historically limited to hard-core bodybuilding forums, Ajuga Extract has transitioned successfully into mainstream sports nutrition, active wellness, and healthy aging products. Consumers are actively moving away from synthetic alternatives, creating high search volumes and purchasing intents for standardized plant extracts. Modern contract manufacturers are introducing Turkesterone and ecdysteroids in diverse formats, including ready-to-drink (RTD) powdered mixes, gummies, and liquid capsules. This diversification has forced factories to optimize raw material yields, improve water solubility, and ensure taste-masking technologies to accommodate complex formulations.
As the market matures, the primary competitive differentiator has shifted from pricing to analytical transparency. Historically, the ecdysteroid market suffered from mislabeling and inconsistent potency. Today's professional buyers demand high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) validation. As a leading technical supplier, UniCare operates on the frontier of phytochemistry, validating active ecdysteroid markers (typically 2% to 10% Turkesterone assays) to deliver structural accuracy and verifiable clinical efficacy.
Procuring raw botanical ingredients at an industrial scale presents structural hurdles, particularly in terms of batch-to-batch chemical stability, regulatory compliance across different geographic jurisdictions, and complex logistics chains. For global buyers, identifying a reliable factory with stable raw agricultural resources and validated manufacturing practices is crucial.
UniCare is a professional supplier of natural active ingredients. Our products are widely used in various fields such as dietary supplement, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. We focus on product development and quality stability, and insist on growing together with our customers around the world.
UniCare has deep cooperation with several excellent Chinese manufacturers who have complete quality management system certifications, including but not limited to GMP, EUGMP, CEP, ISO9001, ISO22000, and HACCP. Each factory has independent testing capabilities and is equipped with advanced and efficient testing equipment to ensure the high quality and long-term stability of each batch of products.
Unlocking and scaling the latent biological value of traditional therapeutic herbs using modern phytochemical methods.
Advancing our proprietary extraction efficiencies to reduce raw material waste and improve bioactive concentrations.
Deploying state-of-the-art analytical equipment to enforce a rigorous zero-defect quality standard.
Ensuring sustainable, clean chemical processes while building supportive partnerships with farming communities.
UniCare attaches great importance to the hardware conditions of production equipment and has the largest and most advanced extraction factory in China. The entire production line in UniCare is controlled by a modern, intelligent, automatic control system.
Until now, UniCare has built up two GMP workshops, containing six multi-functional extraction lines, among which there is the only production line for Ginkgo Biloba Extract of acetone process in the whole China. Here are several other production lines including fermentation production lines and Chinese medicine pieces. A total of 30,000 tons of various Chinese medicine plant raw materials can be processed each year.
Fully certified plant operations adhering to GMP guidelines.
Ginkgo Biloba Extract certified for EU pharmaceutical and dietary markets.
All extraction lines run under high-precision Siemens PLC digital controllers.
Equipped with high-performance low-temperature countercurrent extraction technology.
Massive annual raw botanical capacity to ensure reliable global bulk supply.
Three annular dynamic lines, two multi-functional lines, one round dynamic line.
Only Ginkgo Biloba acetone line in China meeting EU GMP criteria.
Six 20-ton fermentation tanks to enable enzyme-modified bio-transformations.
United New Life (UniCare) has established a leading and complete quality control system, strictly regulating product quality in accordance with global pharmaceutical standards. Through advanced testing instruments, we ensure every batch of Ajuga Extract and other botanical isolates meets exact physical, chemical, and microbiological specifications.
Comprehensive Analytical Parameters: Our testing scope covers active signature components (HPLC or UV), gas chromatography (GC) for solvent residues, GC-MS/MS for organochlorine pesticide residues, ICP-MS for heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Copper), along with moisture, dry weight loss, total ash, microbiological limits, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification.
Advanced Analytical Suite: Our quality assurance centers are equipped with two UHPLC Agilent 1290 ultra-high performance liquid chromatographs, four HPLC Agilent 1260 HPLC systems, two Shimadzu LC-20AT HPLC sets, two Dionex ICS-3000 systems, two Shimadzu 2000ES evaporative light scattering detectors, one Shimadzu GC-2010 gas chromatograph, and one Shimadzu AA-7000 atomic absorption spectrometer.
| Quality Parameter | Specific Testing Criteria & Methodologies |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredient Analysis | Assay testing, molecular identification via HPLC, UV-Vis, and TLC. |
| Hazardous Substance Analysis | Heavy metal detection via ICP-MS, pesticide screening, residual solvent profiling by headspace GC. |
| Microbe Analysis | Total aerobic microbial count (TAMC), Yeast & mold, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, specific pathogenetic test. |
| Raw Material Control | GACP crop verification, non-GMO authentication, allergen scanning, and geographic trace monitoring. |
| Laws & Regulations Confirmation | Compliance verification with Chinese pharmacopoeia, US FDA guidelines, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). |
| Stability Test | Accelerated and long-term shelf-life stability tests following ICH guidelines. |
| Others | pH value, particle size distribution, bulk density, tap density, moisture content, total ash content. |
The Central Laboratory covers a substantial area and is fully qualified by CNAS (China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment).
| Instruments Division A | Instruments Division B | Instruments Division C |
|---|---|---|
| UHPLC, Agilent 1290 (×2) | HPLC, Agilent 1260 (×4) | HPLC, Shimadzu LC-20AT (×2) |
| ELSD, Shimadzu 2000ES (×2) | Shimadzu GC-2010 (×1) | Shimadzu AA-7000 (×1) |
UniCare reinvests 10% of our annual net profit back into research and development. Beyond optimizing existing extraction protocols, we have established a dedicated biological division specializing in natural fermentation. This allows us to scale enzyme-catalyzed transformations that enhance the solubility and bioavailability of target molecules like ecdysteroids.
Furthermore, UniCare maintains a strategic partnership with the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. Together, we co-develop and transition laboratory-scale extractions into mass-produced raw materials for global pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutritional brands.
To ensure consistency, we manage an end-to-end raw material procurement system extending directly to our agricultural plots, enabling complete batch-level traceability. Raw materials are checked immediately upon arrival for active compound content, moisture, ash, heavy metals, and pesticide residues.
To secure critical botanicals, UniCare partners with local growers to operate dedicated agricultural sites, including Ginkgo leaf, Epimedium, Phellodendron, and Olive leaf planting bases. Selected bases run strictly under GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices). We also work alongside crop scientists to develop high-yield cultivars via hybridization, reducing overall costs for our clients.
The botanical extract sector is heading toward cleaner processes, higher concentrations, and targeted bio-transformations. Our R&D roadmap centers on incorporating green solvents (such as subcritical water extraction) and expanding our enzymatic bio-transformation platform. These methods will allow us to manufacture highly purified ecdysteroids with a minimal carbon footprint.
Exporting ingredients to markets like North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region requires strict adherence to local laws. UniCare provides comprehensive regulatory documentation, including allergen reports, GMO statements, Kosher/Halal certifications, and heavy metal profiles. By operating localized distribution channels, we help our partners streamline custom clearance and minimize shipping delays.
