Bulk Phloretin Powder Supplier — 98% HPLC, Apple Root Bark & Lithocarpus litseifolius, B2B Wholesale
Valeherb supplies phloretin powder bulk wholesale at 98% purity by HPLC, derived from apple root bark (Malus domestica) or Lithocarpus litseifolius (木姜叶柯) — specify source at order. Phloretin (CAS 60-81-1, MW 274.3 g/mol, C₁₅H₁₄O₅) is the aglycone form of phlorizin — a lipophilic dihydrochalcone with a free 2′-hydroxyl group that gives it distinct antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase, and skin-penetration-enhancing properties that set it apart from its glucoside counterpart. It is the preferred form for oil-phase cosmetic serums, alcohol-based formulations, and applications where direct radical-scavenging reactivity is the primary requirement.
For a full technical comparison of phloretin and phlorizin — including solubility, skin penetration mechanism, antioxidant benchmarking against BHA/BHT, and which form to specify for each application — see Phlorizin and Phloretin: The Glycoside–Aglycone Relationship. For phlorizin powder (80% / 98%), see the phlorizin powder product page.
On this page: product specifications, what the remaining 2% contains, anti-inflammatory research background, formulation applications with dosing guidance, sourcing criteria, and regulatory guidance.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 60-81-1 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₅H₁₄O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 274.3 g/mol |
| Purity | ≥98% by HPLC |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline powder |
| Source | Apple root bark (Malus domestica); also available from Lithocarpus litseifolius (木姜叶柯) — specify at order |
| Solubility | Poorly water-soluble; freely soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMSO; soluble in propylene glycol with heating |
| Storage | Cool, dry, away from light; sealed container; inert atmosphere for extended storage |
| MOQ | 1 kg — pricing and lead time on inquiry |
Research Background
Provided as scientific context for formulators and researchers, not as claims for any Valeherb product. Solubility, antioxidant benchmarking, and skin penetration mechanisms are covered in depth in the companion article; this section focuses on anti-inflammatory pathway activity not covered there.
Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms: NF-κB, Nrf2, and MAPK
Habtemariam (2023, Biomedicines) published a dedicated review of phloretin’s anti-inflammatory mechanisms, documenting inhibition across three major inflammatory pathways: NF-κB nuclear translocation suppression, Nrf2 cytoprotective pathway activation, and MAP kinase phosphorylation inhibition (p38, ERK1/2, JNK). Downstream effects documented across published in vitro and in vivo models include reduced secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, PGE2, NO, and suppressed COX-2 expression — a breadth of anti-inflammatory activity that reflects phloretin’s multi-target binding profile rather than pathway-selective inhibition.[1] These are preclinical findings described here as research context.
Skin Keratinocyte Research
Cheon et al. (2019, Molecules) investigated phloretin’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) models, identifying TLR2-mediated NF-κB signalling inhibition as the primary anti-inflammatory mechanism at the skin cell level, alongside direct antibacterial activity via binding to bacterial fatty acid synthesis enzyme KAS III — providing mechanistic context for both the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial positioning relevant to cosmetic formulators.[2] Wang et al. (2026, Phytomedicine) documented concurrent STAT3 and NF-κB inhibition in keratinocyte models alongside reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, while noting that phloretin’s poor aqueous solubility remains the primary formulation challenge for effective topical delivery to skin cells.[3]
Formulation Applications and Dosing Guidance
- Oil-phase antioxidant serums: Pre-dissolve in carrier oil or squalane at 40–50°C; incorporate into oil phase at 0.1–0.5% active in finished formula. At these levels, phloretin delivers stronger DPPH radical scavenging than BHT at equivalent concentration — a clean-label positioning argument as BHA/BHT face increasing regulatory scrutiny in the EU
- Skin-brightening and anti-pigmentation formulas: 0.1–0.3% in oil-phase or alcohol-based serums, paired with vitamin C or niacinamide in the aqueous phase for complementary mechanisms. The free 2′-OH group provides higher anti-tyrosinase potency than phlorizin — making this the preferred dihydrochalcone form for hyperpigmentation-focused products
- Penetration-enhancing systems: 0.5–2% in anhydrous or emulsified formulas where increased permeation of co-actives is desired. The skin dipole potential modification mechanism documented in published permeation studies is concentration-dependent — this application is distinct from antioxidant or brightening positioning and should be evaluated separately
- Alcohol-based toners and essences: Pre-dissolve in ethanol at 5–10% concentrate, then dilute into aqueous phase at target active level. Final ethanol content in finished product must be compatible with the formula’s other actives and skin tolerance requirements
- Research and reference compound use: 98% grade for NF-κB inhibition assays, antioxidant comparative studies, and skin biology research. Confirm residual phlorizin levels on COA before use in studies where phlorizin co-activity could confound results
Sourcing Criteria
| Criterion | What to Require |
|---|---|
| Compound Identity | Phloretin (dihydrochalcone aglycone), CAS 60-81-1, confirmed by HPLC and MS/MS. Distinguish from phlorizin (2′-O-glucoside) and naringenin chalcone — structurally related compounds with different activity profiles |
| Residual Phlorizin | Request separately quantified residual phlorizin content by HPLC — particularly important for research applications. Standard COA purity figure (≥98% phloretin) does not specify residual identity |
| Source Declaration | Apple root bark (Malus domestica) or Lithocarpus litseifolius (木姜叶柯) — phloretin from both sources is produced by hydrolysis of phlorizin; co-compound profiles differ (trace phlorizin from apple; trace trilobatin from Lithocarpus). Specify source at order. See the sweet tea extract page for the full Lithocarpus dihydrochalcone profile |
| Third-Party COA | Phloretin purity (HPLC), residual phlorizin (HPLC), compound identity (MS/MS), heavy metals (USP <232>), pesticide residues, microbial limits (USP <2021>), moisture — per batch from accredited laboratory |
Regulatory Guidance
- EU (Cosmetics): INCI name Phloretin or Malus Domestica Root Extract (depending on declaration format). Listed in EU Cosing database. No mandated maximum concentration — confirm safety assessment under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 at your specific inclusion level
- US (Cosmetics): Antioxidant, brightening, and skin-conditioning cosmetic positioning does not require pre-market FDA approval. Label claims should stay within cosmetic (structure/appearance) rather than drug (physiological function) territory
- US (DSHEA supplements): Antioxidant structure/function claims require self-substantiation and the standard FDA disclaimer. Glucose transport or glycaemic claims are drug claims — not permitted for supplement labelling
- Research use: 98% grade supplied as a high-purity research ingredient. Confirm suitability for your specific assay; confirm residual phlorizin quantification if SGLT or compound-selective activity is being studied
