FAQ’s

We verify every batch of every product with the help of accredited independent third party laboratories. The equipment and methods required for each product vary widely. For this reason we work with several speciality labs and PhDs in analytical and organic chemistry to design our analytical methods

Analytical techniques we use include NMR, FTIR, HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, TLC, ICP-MS, Gravimetry, UV-Vis, Titration, Melting Point, Organoleptics.

Third party testing helps assure you are getting exactly what you paid for. A vendor can tell you whatever they want but if an independent third party registered lab is certifying it, what they say will carry more weight.

Let’s go into detail about what that means. A third party lab is a lab that is not run by the vendor or the manufacturer (first and second parties). The third party lab should also be independent, meaning they are not controlled by the other parties and have no conflict of interest about the results of analysis.

It’s important the lab is reputable. If the lab doesn’t know what they’re doing or cuts corners it means their analysis might not be valid. There is a lot of fraud in the analytical chemistry industry, and it’s important to work with companies that value integrity and ethics. We’ve seen unethical labs ask their clients what they want the results to say, before they even get a sample in.

We work hard to assure our contract labs are both ethical and use well validated analytical methods.

When we decide to carry a product we use our contacts and industry resources to search for suppliers. Once we compile a list we begin the vetting process. From the most reputable we request samples. If the samples pass verification we request additional samples. If the samples are consistent we make a larger order.

Once we receive a raw material we quarantine it and evaluate it organoleptically. If it appears free of adulteration and contamination we send a sample to an accredited independent third party lab for analysis. Our analytical methods are derived from the scientific literature where possible or else developed by PhDs in analytical and organic chemistry. If the lab reports match our specifications we OK the product for production.

If any of that process fails we start all over.

Proper measurement is important. Some ingredients can be dangerous when mishandled. We also recommend you measure your product on receipt to confirm total weight or volume.

Powders:
Scoops measure volume and scales measure mass. We strongly recommend you do not rely on a “microscoop” as the density of powder can vary.

We recommend using a precise milligram scale. Milligram scales with a precision of ±3mg are available on Amazon.com for <$20. Please read the following article to learn more about scales and precision:
http://www.concretecountertopinstitute.com/blog/2015/05/precision-measuring-concrete-countertop-mixes/

Once you have confirmed the total powder weight you can create a solution for more accurate volumetric measurement. See the question below on how to make a chemical solution.

Solutions:
Solutions are measured by volume. We recommend using a graduated beaker or pipette to measure volume.

Please review the following guide on how to prepare a chemical solution:
https://www.sciencecompany.com/Preparing-Chemical-Solutions.aspx

Glossary, basic terms to understand

Selecting an adequate solvent

If you do not select an adequate solvent your solute will precipitate out of solution or lack uniformity, making handling difficult. The best way to verify a solvent is adequate is through trial and error solubility analysis.

Selecting your concentration

Solutions are easier to make and handle at lower concentrations. If you saturate a solution the solute may precipitate out of solution thus ruining the uniformity. Changing the pH or temperature of your solution can also result in precipitation.

Solution Example: Using mass by volume (m/v)

Formula
The formula for mass by volume (m/v) is: [Mass of solute (mg) / Volume of solution (ml)]

Example
A 10mg/mL NaCl solution has 10 milligrams of sodium chloride dissolved in 1 ml of solution.

Procedure

1. Select a concentration for your solution e.g. 10mg/mL.
2. Select a total volume for your solution e.g. 50mL.
3. Weigh out your solute by multiplying the concentration by total volume e.g. 10mg/mL * 50mL = 500mg.
4. Select an adequate solvent for your concentration.
5. Pour your solute into your solvent and mix.
6. The solute should fully dissolve and the solution should become transparent. If there is sediment or visible particles then the solution is not uniform.

Notes:

1. The procedure above is simplified. Simply measuring 50mL of solvent and adding 500mg of solute introduces error because adding the solid will change the final volume of the solution. The more correct procedure would be to mix solute with ~80% of your solvent and then add solvent until you reach your desired volume of 50mL.
2. The most common causes of precipitation include selecting an inadequate solvent, selecting too high a concentration, not using adequate measurement equipment (milligram scale, graduated beaker), mixing multiple solutes together (which will affect pH and lower solubility).
3. We recommend against heating or incubation, as our products are novel and this can cause an unintended chemical reaction. The solute will also precipitate out as it cools down.

Precipitation and Suspension

What if your solution precipitates? You have a few options. If you selected too high a concentration you can add more solvent or a cosolvent and lower the concentration.

Another option, if the precipitation is minor, is to suspend the precipitate temporarily by agitating (shaking well, stirring vigorously) and then make your volumetric measurement. This will have some error, dependent on the level of precipitation and uniformity.

Several of our premade solutions can precipitate slowly and we indicate this by instructing to shake well before administration on the product label.

We do not provide scoops or scales to measure powder. We recommend using a milligram scale to measure powder as a volumetric scoops will be inaccurate. You can purchase a milligram scale on Amazon for ~$20.

All solution and solvent products come with a graduated pipette measuring up to 1.0mL.

Most of our powder products are sold in increments of 1000 milligrams (mg), that is 1 gram (g). There are 70,000 grams in the average size person. So a single gram, even with the vast range of powder densities, will be a small amount. Less than a tablespoon.

It’s important to be careful when working with milligram quantities of active ingredients, be sure to use appropriate equipment such as a milligram scale and weigh boats.

When dealing with compounds there will be variance between the makeup and therefore the final extract. This is why analysis and testing is so important.

However even if you are dealing with a highly refined ≥99% pure raw material is it still possible for there to be differences in color, texture, odor, taste and even biochemical and pharmacokinetic properties between batches. This can be explained by differences in polymorphy i.e. the crystal structure of a substance. For example, sand and glass are made of the same molecule (SiO2), but have very different properties.

Several factors influence polymorphy, including the rate of change of temperature, pressure and reactants during synthesis. The study of polymorphy is a critical discipline in its own right, integral to the application of chemistry, including materials science and medicine.

So, if you notice a slight difference between batches of products, it’s normal and nothing to worry about.

Let’s take altitude for a moment. Due to the second law of thermodynamics entropy is always increasing. As a result the active chemical molecules of a product are always degrading, albeit slowly. Eventually there will be a measurable decrease in potency. This can take several years with proper handling and storage. Unless stated otherwise the minimum shelf life for our products is 3 years after the date of manufacture. The date of manufacture is stated on the product label, labelled as “MFG”, next to the LOT #.

Unfortunately we can’t provide a more precise answer. True shelf life is variable and in most cases little data is available. FDA regulations require that no shelf life is given for a dietary supplement unless data can substantiate it. Rather that lie to you about the expiration date we’re just telling you how it is. Shelf life decreases with exposure to heat, moisture, oxygen and sunlight, which can create free radicals and break chemical bonds. Shelf life can be extended by deep freeze (-20°C or -80°C). A powder ingredient in deep freeze could have a shelf life in excess of 10 years with minimal degradation. It is not recommended to store a liquid, oil or solution product at anything below room temperature because this will alter the solubility properties and maybe precipitate the mixture, rendering it non-uniform and difficult to measure without resuspension.

We provide proper storage instructions on each product listing and on product labels for each product. Generally, store in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture and sunlight.

It’s possible for liquid products exposed to low temperature to freeze. For example, during cold months in high latitudes, water-based products can freeze during transit. Some solvents have high freezing temperatures so they can freeze above water’s freezing temperature. If your product froze and the bottle didn’t crack it’s OK, it just needs to be warmed to room temperature. Some products can precipitate out of solution if exposed to low temperature. If that happens you can run the bottle under warm water and shake vigorously before administration to re-suspend and re-solve.

Every molecule has its own unique decomposition process. But let’s zoom out for a moment to provide a general understanding. Due to the second law of thermodynamics entropy is always increasing. On a long enough timescale most molecules are thermodynamically unstable. The molecules in our products are always degrading, albeit slowly. Eventually there will be a measurable decrease in potency. This can take several years with proper handling and storage. Changing the temperature of storage will affect the rate of degradation.

Let’s go over common scenarios.

1. If a product is exposed to lower than recommended temperature there will be no increase in rate of degradation, with the exception that a solution product may precipitate and thus lose uniformity.
2. If a product is exposed to higher than recommended temperature the rate of degradation will be accelerated. For illustration let’s say a product requiring room temperature storage is exposed to 115°F, in that case there may be an increase in the rate of decomposition but this may not be measurable without months of continued exposure. Meaning you could leave a product in heat for a few days and if after it is properly stored the shelf life will still be years.
3. If a product requires cold temperature storage, such as a deep freezer at –20°C, then the risk of degradation from high temperature exposure depends on the degree and duration and the presence of oxygen, moisture and sunlight. Oxygen, moisture and sunlight all produce free radicals and break chemical bonds that can accelerate degradation. Even so, less than 24 hours of human-tolerable temperatures will not substantially degrade any of the products we carry.

In terms of potency and purity, there is no difference between a powder and a solution. The powder is the purified form of the compound, the solution is this powder dissolved into a solvent. We offer both forms for the buyer’s preference. In terms of stability, a powder is more stable than a solution for a variety of reasons, primarily the increased surface area of each molecule in solutions versus a crystalline solid. So a solution is more susceptible to degradation and will degrade faster than powder if exposed to heat, light, oxygen, moisture, etc. Solutions are generally long term, less stable than a powder however we go to extreme lengths to ensure we produce the most stable solutions possible and we stand by our shelf-life guarantee of 2 years from the date of manufacture if stored properly. In reality under optimal conditions a solution can last much longer than this before it begins to degrade.

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