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Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool | Supplier & Factory Direct Manufacturer

Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool: Premium Tingling Active for Food, Beverage & Personal Care Formulations

  1. English Name: Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool

  2. Specification: ≥10–70% (HPLC); available in water-soluble and oil-soluble grades

  3. Appearance: Pale yellow to off-white powder with a mild tingling, numbing pepper aroma

  4. CAS No.: 61281-38-7

  5. Lead Time: 3–7 working days

  6. Package: 25 kg/drum; 27 drums/pallet

  7. Main Markets: Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, East Asia

  8. Applications (Key Benefits):

    • Creates the signature tingling and numbing sensation of Sichuan pepper

    • Enhances flavor impact and mouthfeel

    • Widely used in “buzzing,” “tingling,” or sensory-enhanced formulations

    • Natural plant-derived sensory ingredient with stable performance

  9. Industry Applications:

    • Food & Beverage: seasonings, snacks, spicy sauces, ready-to-eat products, functional beverages

    • Cosmetics: lip plumpers, sensory beauty products, “tingling” effect formulations

    • Nutraceuticals: herbal extracts, sensory-enhanced supplements

    • R&D & Flavors: flavor houses developing numbing, spicy, or sensory-active profiles

Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool Extract | GMP-Certified Ingredient for Sensory Foods & Cosmetic Innovation


1. Product Overview

Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool is the primary active molecule responsible for the signature tingling, numbing, and mouthfeel sensation of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan Pepper).
At AIHerba® (Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd.), we produce high-purity Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool using GMP-certified extraction technology, ensuring consistent potency and traceable quality for cosmetics, functional foods, flavor houses, and dietary supplement manufacturers.

This ingredient is widely used in:

  • Sensory beverages

  • Innovative snacks

  • Oral-care cosmetics

  • Functional supplements

  • Natural flavor enhancers

  • R&D formulation projects


2.Technical Specifications
Parameter Description
Product Name Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool
Source Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper)
Appearance Light yellow to brown oily liquid / powder
Purity Customized: 10%–65% by HPLC
CAS Number 61281-38-7
Sensory Strength Tingling index: high
Extraction Method Solvent extraction + purification
Solubility Oil-soluble; dispersible in ethanol
Shelf Life 24 months
Packaging 1 kg / 5 kg / 25 kg

3. Key Benefits & Functional Properties

✔ Sensory Stimulation (Paresthetic Effect)

Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool activates somatosensory receptors (KCNK channels), producing a tingling, buzzing, or numbing effect that enhances taste perception.

✔ Natural Flavor Enhancer

Boosts salty, citrus, floral, and savory profiles in food & beverage products.

✔ Cosmetic Applications

Provides a unique warming or tingling sensation for lip products, oral-care formulations, and massage serums.

✔ Functional Food Ingredient

May support appetite stimulation and digestive comfort (traditional use).

✔ Clean-Label Active

Plant-derived, free from synthetic tingling agents or artificial additives.


4. Health-Related Insights (Evidence-Based)

Research indicates that sanshool-type alkylamides interact with nerve fibers and TRP channels.
Relevant references:

  • PubMed: Mechanisms of action of sanshools on sensory neurons (PMID: 19602535)

  • NIH: Zanthoxylum species and their functional compounds

  • FDA GRAS notices referencing Zanthoxylum extracts in flavoring applications

(Note: Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure diseases.)


5. Traditional Use

Sichuan pepper has been used in East Asian cuisine and herbal preparations for:

  • Stimulating appetite

  • Supporting digestive function

  • Enhancing flavor and food enjoyment

Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool represents the isolated, concentrated active compound behind this traditional profile.


6. Recommended Usage

Application Typical Dosage Notes
Flavoring in snacks 5–300 mg/kg Adjust based on target intensity
Beverage formulations 2–50 mg/kg Works well with citrus & floral notes
Cosmetic products 0.01–0.3% Tingling sensation lasts 10–60 seconds
Supplements Based on formulation goal Consult regulatory guidance

7. Best Formulation Guidelines

  • Pair with citrus, chili, ginger, floral terpenes for enhanced sensory synergy.

  • Use encapsulation for stability in beverages.

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to high heat.

  • Combine with natural flavors in clean-label products.

  • For cosmetic use, conduct patch testing during R&D.


8. Safety & Precautions

  • Not recommended for infant food applications.

  • Sensory intensity varies by individual; start low in formulations.

  • Follow local regulatory limits for flavoring alkylamides.

  • Store sealed to prevent oxidation.


9. Specifications (Example COA Table)

Values can be customized based on your required purity range.

9.1 Product Specifications

Item Specification
Appearance Light yellow to brown oil
Purity (HPLC) 10%–98%
Odor Characteristic pungent, tingling
Solubility Oil-soluble
Plant Part Pericarp

9.2 Pesticide Residue Testing

Item Limit Method
Organophosphorus pesticides ≤ 0.05 mg/kg GC-MS
Organochlorine pesticides ≤ 0.05 mg/kg GC-MS
Carbamates ≤ 0.1 mg/kg LC-MS/MS
Pyrethroids ≤ 0.05 mg/kg GC-MS

9.3 Heavy Metals

Item Limit Method
Lead (Pb) ≤ 2.0 mg/kg ICP-MS
Arsenic (As) ≤ 1.0 mg/kg ICP-MS
Cadmium (Cd) ≤ 1.0 mg/kg ICP-MS
Mercury (Hg) ≤ 0.1 mg/kg ICP-MS
Total Heavy Metals ≤ 10 mg/kg ICP-MS

9.4 Microbiological Tests

Item Specification Method
Total Aerobic Count ≤ 1,000 CFU/g GB 4789.2
Yeast & Mold ≤ 100 CFU/g GB 4789.15
E. coli Negative GB 4789.3
Salmonella Negative GB 4789.4
Staphylococcus aureus Negative GB 4789.10

10. Production Process

Step-by-Step Flow

  1. Raw material selection

  2. Cleaning & sorting

  3. CO₂ supercritical extraction

  4. Molecular distillation

  5. Fractionation & purification

  6. Dewaxing & odor removal

  7. Concentration

  8. Standardization of active content

  9. Filtration & sterilization

  10. QA testing & packaging

Our factory uses closed-loop extraction to preserve alkylamide integrity and avoid solvent residues.


11. Storage & Shelf Life

  • Storage: Keep sealed, stored in a cool and dry place away from direct light.

  • Shelf Life: 24 months unopened.

  • Sensitivity: Avoid prolonged exposure to heat and oxygen.


12. Packaging Options

  • 1 kg aluminum foil bag

  • 5 kg / 10 kg vacuum pouches

  • 25 kg HDPE drum

  • Customized packaging available


13. Sample Policy

We provide:

  • Free sample herbal extract (10–20 g) for R&D evaluation

  • Shipping at customer’s account or negotiable

  • COA + MSDS + technical data sheet included


14. Shipping & MOQ

  • MOQ: 1 kg (for standard purity)

  • Bulk orders (≥ 25 kg) enjoy factory pricing

  • Worldwide shipping by DHL, FedEx, air freight, or sea freight

  • GMP-certified manufacturer with traceable lot numbers

  • Suitable for wholesale distribution partners looking to buy high-purity actives at competitive price


15. Applicable Industries

  • Food & beverage innovation

  • Sensory science R&D labs

  • Cosmetics & personal care

  • Dietary supplements

  • Natural flavor houses

  • Functional foods

  • Pharmaceutical health products

  • Customized herbal extract formulations


16. Application Scenarios & Usage Ideas

  • Sparkling tingling beverages

  • Lip plumping serums

  • Flavor-boosting drops

  • Spicy snacks

  • Functional candies

  • Cocktail syrups

  • Herbal tinctures

  • Sports nutrition flavors


17. Why Choose AIHerba®

(1) Expertise: 10+ Years Extraction & Sensory Ingredient Manufacturing

  • Proprietary extraction & purification method

  • Stable sensitization index & sensory strength

  • Widely used in food labs, beverage innovators, and global sensation-R&D companies

(2) Experience: Proven Applications in Global Product Formulations

  • Used by RTD beverage brands to create tingling & cooling synergy

  • Applied in confectionery, gum & sauces for sensory enhancement

  • Utilized in cosmetics for tingling lip products & skin stimulation formulas

(3) Authority: Third-Party Testing & International Certifications

  • COA, MSDS, HPLC fingerprint available

  • ISO9001, HACCP, Halal, Kosher

  • Conforms to relevant analytical standards under USP, FCC & GB

(4) Trust: Transparent Factory Information

  • Manufacturer: Shaanxi Zhonghong Biotechnology / Aiherba

  • Contact: sales@aiherba.cominfo@aiherba.com

  • Real production images, batch traceability, stable delivery capability


18. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Hydroxy Alpha Sanshool allowed in food applications?
Yes, Zanthoxylum extracts are commonly used as natural flavoring agents. Regulations vary by region—check your local standards.

Q2: Can you customize purity levels?
Absolutely. We offer 10%–98% active content for different cost and potency needs.

Q3: Do you support OEM/ODM formulations?
Yes. Our plant is a food-grade botanical extract supplier offering turnkey solutions.

Q4: How is the stability in beverages?
Stable in low-acid beverages when protected from heat and oxygen.

Q5: Do you provide documentation for import clearance?
Yes—COA, MSDS, TDS, commercial invoice, packing list, HS code, and more.


19. References

  • PubMed: sensory neuron modulation by alkylamides

  • NIH: functional compounds in Zanthoxylum species

  • FDA GRAS flavoring references

  • Peer-reviewed studies on sanshool bioactivity


20. Contact & Verification

AIHerba® | Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd.
📧 sales@aiherba.com | info@aiherba.com | liaodaohai@gmail.com
🌐 www.aiherba.com
GMP-certified natural botanical extract supplier & manufacturer with global export capability.

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