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Licorice Fluid Extract BP EP USP Pharma Grade: Description, Properties and Scientific Structure

What is Licorice Fluid Extract BP EP USP Pharma Grade?

Licorice Fluid Extract BP EP USP Pharma Grade refers to a standardized liquid extract processed from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Its use extends far beyond herbal remedies and moves into the realm of regulated pharmaceutical-grade raw material. Extracted under strict protocols and quality testing, this extract aligns with British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. These certifications guarantee a specific range of active constituents, especially glycyrrhizinic acid, in a water-soluble form suitable for precise formulation in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. The result is a fluid offering both function and reliability, shaped by guidelines that keep its chemical profile consistent from batch to batch.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Licorice Fluid Extract BP EP USP Pharma Grade appears as a deep brown viscous liquid. Its density commonly falls between 1.0 and 1.2 grams per milliliter depending on extract concentration and carrier solvents. The extract stays stable when stored in tightly sealed containers away from direct sunlight, and its water-based solution mixes smoothly in a wide temperature range. The taste profile leans characteristically sweet, the result of glycyrrhizin, often exceeding the sweetness of sucrose.

The product does not present as flakes, pearls, solid, powder, or crystal form at this stage; only as a liquid extract. Scientists looking for a more concentrated or different texture would need to process the fluid into semi-solid or powder using further solvent removal steps. Its solubility in water allows manufacturers to create both oral and topical solutions without technical difficulty. Viscosity levels can influence processing in large vessels, but the extract flows well under moderate agitation.

Structural and Molecular Details

The molecular formula of glycyrrhizin, the main active ingredient, stands as C42H62O16. This triterpenoid saponin forms around a glycoside core, giving licorice extract its signature sweetness along with reported anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and expectorant properties. The presence of minor flavonoids, including liquiritin and isoliquiritin, brings added color and antioxidant effects. Each of these compounds builds on a carbon skeleton ring structure, layered with oxygen and hydrogen groups that interact easily with water molecules, explaining the extract’s ease of dissolution and versatility in formulations. As a raw material, the extract carries other water-solubles and trace minerals reflecting its botanical origins, but by the time it meets pharmacopoeia specifications, significant potential allergens and contaminants have been refined out.

Specification and Safe Handling

Manufacturers set specifications for glycyrrhizinic acid content (often 10% w/v and above by UV analysis), total solids, pH (commonly 4–6), and microbial load (counts near zero). The absence of heavy metals, solvents, or pesticides marks a batch as safe for pharmaceutical applications. Storage recommendations focus on cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas, using containers made of food-grade plastics or inert metals. Spillage cleans easily with water due to the hydrophilic nature of the extract, although stickiness can create slip hazards on solid floors if not properly managed.

Licorice Fluid Extract does not qualify as hazardous under most international shipping rules, but safe handling suggests gloves and protective eyewear, especially for workers with sensitive skin or long exposure durations. Overconsumption raises the risk of glycyrrhizin toxicity, linked to hypertension or potassium loss in susceptible individuals. Material safety data emphasize caution for people with cardiovascular or renal concerns, and finished formulations require clear labeling to help end users make informed choices.

Solution and Raw Material Form

Licorice extract in its BP EP USP Pharma Grade form almost always ships in liquid or concentrated solution, either by drum or bulk container. This allows blending into bulk syrups, tonics, tablets (after drying), or topical creams. Downstream processing enables conversion to spray-dried powder or semi-solid paste if needed, but customers find greater cost-effectiveness in the ready-to-dilute fluid. The extract maintains its molecular integrity through the supply chain when stored below 30°C and protected from the effects of high humidity.

The raw material production starts with the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, subjected to water or hydroalcoholic extraction, filtration and solvent evaporation stages. Each production step prioritizes traceability, as full compliance with global pharmacopoeia standards depends on backtracking every input, including water source and soil analysis. Routine in-process testing covers pH, viscosity, active load, contamination, and sensory profile to confirm each batch meets published standard specifications.

HS Code and International Trade

Licorice Fluid Extract for pharmaceutical use aligns under HS Code 1302.19 according to international customs conventions for vegetable saps and extracts. This classification drives both export tax obligations and safety documentation. Bulk buyers in the pharma sector rely on this code to confirm provenance, avoidance of restricted materials, and compliance with national import health standards. Certificates of analysis and conformance routinely accompany every load, supporting a comprehensive audit trail.

Quality certifications serve the dual role of meeting health agency approval and enabling commerce across borders. Supply chain professionals use the HS Code as shorthand for customs brokers, regulatory agencies, and risk assessors, turning what might seem a simple brown liquid into a globally traded scientific commodity.

Material Insights and Industry Significance

Licorice Fluid Extract BP EP USP Pharma Grade holds a distinct place as both traditional remedy ingredient and rigorously tested pharmaceutical excipient. Its journey from raw root to coded, certified, analyzable liquid speaks to the evolution of plant-based materials within global science and medicine. Whether destined for cough syrups, dermal creams, functional confections or even anti-viral research, its growth track depends on manufacturers and stakeholders upholding standards set by BP, EP, and USP. This brings safety and reliability for those of us working with complex raw materials, and helps ensure that end-users—often patients—receive products that meet real human needs.