Inositol

Inositol is primarily available in Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade (USP/EP/BP), and Feed Grade. For dietary supplements and functional beverages, ensure the product is Myo-Inositol with a purity of ≥99%. If you are sourcing for clinical or pharmaceutical use, it must meet USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or EP (European Pharmacopoeia) standards to ensure strict limits on heavy metals and microbial contaminants.

Buyers should focus on Assay (Purity), which should ideally be 98.0% - 102.0% on a dried basis. Other critical parameters include Loss on Drying (≤0.5%), Residue on Ignition (≤0.1%), and Heavy Metals (Lead ≤0.5ppm, Arsenic ≤0.2ppm). For specialized applications like infant formula, verify the particle size (mesh size) to ensure optimal solubility and blending.

To ensure global market access, suppliers must hold ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 (FSMS). For the US market, FDA Registration and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status are vital. If targeting specific consumer segments, prioritize suppliers with Kosher, Halal, and Non-GMO Project Verified certifications. For European markets, compliance with REACH regulations is necessary.

Inositol is a white crystalline powder that should be freely soluble in water (approx. 14g/100mL at 25°C) and practically insoluble in chloroform or ether. Request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the specific batch and conduct a dissolution test to ensure no visible precipitates. It is stable under normal storage conditions but should be kept in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers.

The primary risk is adulteration or sub-standard purity. Always request a pre-shipment sample and use third-party inspection services (like SGS or Intertek) to verify the batch matches the COA. Another risk is moisture absorption during sea freight; ensure the supplier uses double-layer PE bags inside fiber drums with adequate desiccant.

Focus on Annual Purchase Volume (APV) rather than single-order quantity to secure Tiered Pricing. Ask for Incoterms 2020 clarity (FOB vs CIF). Since Inositol is a commodity chemical, prices fluctuate with raw material (corn steep liquor) costs; consider long-term fixed-price contracts if the market is trending upward.

Utilize Secured Trading Services provided by Made-in-China.com to ensure payment is only released upon proof of shipment. Always verify the supplier's Audit Report on the platform to confirm they are a Gold Member or Audited Supplier with a physical factory location rather than a shell trading company.

Inositol is generally classified as Non-Hazardous for transport. For bulk orders (over 500kg), LCL or FCL sea freight is most cost-effective. Ensure the HS Code (typically 2906.13) is correctly declared to avoid customs delays. Provide your customs broker with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) in advance.