Sea Buckthorn Extracts (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)
Nature’s Most Complete Botanical — Omega-7, Flavonoids & 190+ Bioactive Compounds
What Is Sea Buckthorn Extract?
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), also known as the “King of Vitamin C” or “Gold Bush,” is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family. Native to temperate and cold regions across Eurasia, it thrives in harsh environments and has been used medicinally for over 1,000 years in Tibetan, Mongolian, Ayurvedic, and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions. In 2002, China’s National Health Commission officially classified sea buckthorn as a food with both medicinal and edible homology.
The berries are exceptionally rich in bioactive compounds. The pulp and peel contain high concentrations of carotenoids (β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene) and flavonols such as isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. Sea buckthorn pulp oil is notably rich in palmitoleic acid (omega-7) — a rare fatty acid with exceptional skin barrier repair properties — while seed oil provides omega-3 (α-linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), phytosterols, and vitamin E.
Scientific Evidence & Clinical Research
| Study / Source | Year | Key Findings |
| ScienceDirect Meta-analysis (RCTs) | 2025 | Comprehensive review of cardiometabolic effects; evidence supports lipid regulation, vascular protection via anti-inflammatory pathways |
| Frontiers in Pharmacology | 2025 | Review confirms anti-inflammatory, gut microbiota regulation, intestinal protective effects for digestive diseases |
| Journal of Functional Foods | 2024 | Anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms: lipid regulation, anti-platelet aggregation, vascular smooth muscle inhibition |
| Food Chemistry (JSFA) | 2024 | North American sea buckthorn: 24 polyphenolic compounds identified; strong α-glucosidase inhibition (71-99%) |
| Critical Reviews in Food Science | 2022 | Comprehensive review: antioxidant, anticancer, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective activities confirmed |
Key Health Benefits:
- Skin Regeneration: Skin health: Promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, enhances skin barrier function, accelerates tissue repair
- Heart Health: Cardiovascular support: Helps regulate blood lipids, reduce LDL oxidation, improve vascular endothelial function
- GI Protection: Digestive wellness: Anti-ulcer, gastroprotective, gut microbiota modulation properties validated in clinical studies
- Immune Support: Immune modulation: Rich in vitamin C (500–800 mg/100g) and flavonoids with documented immunoregulatory effects
- Oxidative Defense: Antioxidant powerhouse: Over 190 bioactive compounds combat oxidative stress through multiple synergistic pathways
Technical Specifications & COA Parameters
Xi’an Taima Biological Co., Ltd. provides fully standardized sea buckthorn extracts with rigorous quality control. Each batch undergoes complete analytical testing including HPLC fingerprinting, GC-MS fatty acid profiling, heavy metal analysis, and microbiological screening. Below are our standard COA specification parameters:
| Test Item | Specification | Test Method |
| Product Name | Sea Buckthorn Extract (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) | — |
| Botanical Source | Hippophae rhamnoides L. fruit/seed/leaf | Botanical ID |
| Appearance | Fine yellow-orange to brownish powder / golden oil | Visual |
| Total Flavonoids (UV) | ≥ 10% – 50% | UV Spectrophotometry |
| Isorhamnetin (HPLC) | ≥ 1% – 5% | HPLC |
| Quercetin (HPLC) | ≥ 0.5% – 3% | HPLC |
| Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) | ≥ 100 mg/100g | HPLC |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | ≥ 300 mg/100g | HPLC |
| Total Carotenoids | ≥ 200 mg/100g | Spectrophotometry |
| Palmitoleic Acid (Omega-7) | 20% – 38% (oil) | GC-MS |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) | 30% – 38% (seed oil) | GC-MS |
| Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) | 23% – 31% (seed oil) | GC-MS |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 5.0% | USP <731> |
| Ash Content | ≤ 5.0% | USP <281> |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 1.0% | USP <281> |
| Particle Size | 95% through 80 mesh | Sieving |
| Heavy Metal — Arsenic (As) | ≤ 1 ppm | ICP-MS / AAS |
| Heavy Metal — Lead (Pb) | ≤ 1 ppm | ICP-MS / AAS |
| Heavy Metal — Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 0.5 ppm | ICP-MS / AAS |
| Heavy Metal — Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS / AAS |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1,000 CFU/g | GB 4789.2 |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 50 CFU/g | GB 4789.15 |
| E. coli / Salmonella | Negative / Negative | GB Standards |
| Solvent Residuals | Meets USP <467> | GC Headspace |
Available Product Forms:
- Extract Powder: Powder extract: Standardized total flavonoids 10%-50%, water-soluble or ethanol-soluble
- Seed Oil (SFE-CO₂): Seed oil: Supercritical CO₂ extracted, omega-3/6/7 rich, cold-pressed available
- Berry/Pulp Oil: Berry/pulp oil: High palmitoleic acid (omega-7), carotenoid-rich, golden amber color
- Softgel Grade: Softgel/Oil blend: Pre-formulated for supplement manufacturers