Psyllium Husk Grading Standards: 85%, 95% and 99% Purity
If you buy psyllium husk in bulk, purity percentage is only part of the specification. This guide explains how grading works, which moisture and mesh limits matter on an export contract, and how to write a spec that protects you on arrival.
How purity grades are defined
Psyllium husk is separated from the Plantago ovata seed by milling and successive sieving. Purity is the percentage of pure husk by weight in the finished lot; the remainder is residual seed, endosperm fines and light plant matter. Because husk is what delivers the soluble fibre and swelling action, purity directly drives functional performance and price.
85% purity
Animal feed, industrial and low-cost bulk blends
Higher residual seed and fines content. Lowest landed cost per MT, acceptable where swell volume is not critical.
95% purity
Food, beverage and dietary supplement manufacturing
The standard traded bulk grade. Good swell volume, consistent colour, widely accepted by importers and repackers.
99% purity
Pharmaceutical and premium supplement brands
Near-complete removal of seed and fines. Highest swell volume and cleanest colour; commands a premium per MT.
Moisture: the shipment risk nobody prices in
Psyllium is hygroscopic. A lot dispatched at 10% moisture can pick up more inside a container crossing the tropics, and above roughly 12% you start seeing caking, mould risk and a measurable drop in swell volume. Specify a maximum of 8%–10% at load port, ask for a moisture figure on the certificate of analysis for the actual lot, and insist on food-grade liners inside the PP bags rather than bare woven sacks.
Mesh and sieve specifications
Mesh describes particle size after sieving. Whole husk normally trades as 30–40 mesh flakes. Powder is milled finer: 60 mesh for general food use, 80 mesh for beverage and sachet blends where mouthfeel matters, and 100 mesh where tablet or capsule flow requires it. Always state mesh and the acceptable retained-on-screen percentage, not just "husk" or "powder" — mesh drift between lots is the most common cause of rejected production trials.
Reference specification sheet
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Purity | 85% / 95% / 99% husk by weight |
| Moisture | 8%–10% max |
| Mesh (husk) | 30–40 mesh flakes |
| Mesh (powder) | 60 / 80 / 100 mesh |
| Swell volume | 40 ml/g and above (99% grade) |
| Ash content | 4% max |
| Foreign matter | Nil, cleaned and sieved |
| Packaging | 25 kg / 40 kg PP bags with liner, or as specified |
What to ask for before you order
- A lot-specific certificate of analysis, not a generic template.
- Purity, moisture, ash, swell volume and mesh stated as maximums or minimums.
- Microbiological limits: total plate count, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella.
- Pre-shipment samples drawn from the actual production lot.
- Certification copies relevant to your market — Halal, FSSAI, GMP, registration.
Need a quote against your own spec?
Rajmudra Global Export supplies psyllium husk and powder in 85%, 95% and 99% grades from Pune, India, with documentation for international shipments.
Request a Quote