Reference
Botanical-ingredient glossary.
Definitions of the terms that recur across botanical sourcing, manufacturing, and quality assurance — defined from Phyto-Medichem's perspective, with cross-references to the parts of the site they relate to.
Certificate of Analysis
CoA
- A document accompanying each batch of botanical extract that records analytical test results — marker compound concentration, identity confirmation, residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbial limits. Phyto-Medichem issues a per-batch CoA from its in-house HPLC lab; independent ISO/IEC 17025 verification is available on request.
Chain-of-Custody
- Documented tracking of botanical material from origin (the farm) through every processing, transport, and storage step to final delivery. Phyto-Medichem maintains chain-of-custody documentation across the entire sourcing-to-delivery path.
Eurycomanone
- The principal marker compound of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia). Pharmaceutical-grade tongkat ali extracts are standardised to eurycomanone concentration, which is the analytical anchor used to compare cultivar quality and adulteration risk across the export market.
GACP
Good Agricultural and Collection Practice
- A WHO framework for the cultivation, harvest, and post-harvest handling of medicinal plants. Phyto-Medichem applies GACP-aligned practices at grower partner level, particularly across the 34-province Thailand kratom network.
GMP
Good Manufacturing Practice
- A quality framework covering facility, equipment, processes, documentation, and personnel for the manufacture of food, supplements, or pharmaceutical products. Phyto-Medichem's manufacturing facility operates under GMP-aligned procedures across primary processing, extraction, standardisation, and packaging.
HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
- A food-safety framework identifying biological, chemical, and physical hazards and the points at which they can be controlled. HACCP is operational across Phyto-Medichem's extraction and packaging lines.
HPLC
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
- The analytical method used to separate, identify, and quantify components in a botanical extract. The workhorse technique for marker-compound assays and per-batch CoA generation. Phyto-Medichem operates an in-house HPLC laboratory.
ISO/IEC 17025
- An international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Phyto-Medichem cross-checks per-batch CoAs at ISO/IEC 17025-accredited US verification labs on request, in addition to issuing its own in-house HPLC CoA.
Kavalactones
- The collective name for the six major compounds in kava (Piper methysticum) responsible for its pharmacological effects: kavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, dihydrokavain, yangonin, and desmethoxyyangonin. The chemotype (relative proportion of each) varies by cultivar and geographic origin, which is why noble-cultivar sourcing matters for export-grade material.
Marker Compound
- A characteristic chemical constituent of a botanical used to confirm identity and quantify potency. Examples: mitragynine for kratom, eurycomanone for tongkat ali, kavalactones (collectively) for kava. Marker selection is informed by pharmacological relevance and analytical practicality.
Mitragynine
- The principal alkaloid in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and the marker compound used to assay and standardise kratom extracts. Studied in pharmacology research for its interaction with opioid and adrenergic receptor systems.
Noble Kava
- Specific cultivars of Piper methysticum traditionally regarded as suitable for export and human consumption. Distinct from "tudei" or non-noble cultivars, which carry different kavalactone profiles and historical safety concerns. Phyto-Medichem sources noble cultivars only.
Single-Origin
- Refers to botanical material traceable to a single geographic source — as opposed to broker-sourced material aggregated from multiple unknown origins. Phyto-Medichem operates a single-origin sourcing model end-to-end via direct grower partnerships.
Standardised Extract
- A botanical extract that has been processed to contain a defined concentration of one or more marker compounds, verified by analytical assay. "Standardised" describes the analytical anchor, not the spectrum — both full-spectrum and isolate-style extracts can be standardised.