What Is Ginkgo Biloba Extract?

Related Product

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Green Sky Bio is the largest plant extract manufacturer exporter and supplier, provide plant extract, annual production 2500 tons China

小编

What Is Ginkgo Biloba Extract?

Ginkgo Biloba Extract is one of the most extensively studied botanical ingredients in the world, derived from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba — the oldest living tree species, with fossils dating back over 270 million years. Native to China, Ginkgo biloba has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 5,000 years, and its modern standardized extract has become a cornerstone of the global cognitive health and circulation supplement market.

The global Ginkgo Biloba extract market is valued at approximately USD 1.0-1.3 billion (2024) and is growing at 5-7% CAGR, driven by aging populations, increasing awareness of cognitive health, and growing demand for natural circulatory support ingredients.

Key Active Compounds: Flavone Glycosides and Terpene Lactones

The therapeutic benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract are attributed to two primary groups of bioactive compounds, which are the basis for pharmacopoeial standardization worldwide.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Standardization: The Global Benchmark

The 24/6 standard — 24% total flavone glycosides and 6% total terpene lactones — is the globally recognized benchmark for Ginkgo biloba extract quality, established by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and adopted by pharmacopoeias worldwide.

Ginkgo Leaf vs. Other Plant Parts

Only leaves are used for commercial Ginkgo biloba extract production. The timing of harvest (typically late autumn) significantly impacts the concentration of active compounds.

Extraction Methods

Solvent Extraction (EGb 761 Process — Industry Standard)

The extraction process modeled after the reference EGb 761 extract (developed by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH) is the global standard:

Process Flow:

• Raw material preparation — Dried Ginkgo leaves are cleaned, sorted, and milled to 0.5-1.0 mm particle size

• Defatting — Leaves are extracted with hexane or petroleum ether to remove lipophilic compounds (waxes, chlorophyll)

• Hydroalcoholic extraction — 60-70% aqueous acetone or ethanol is used at 50-70°C for 2-4 hours, 2-3 cycles

• Filtration — Plant debris is removed via filtration and centrifugation

• Concentration — Solvent is recovered via vacuum evaporation

• Adsorption purification — The extract passes through adsorption resin columns to enrich flavone glycosides and terpene lactones while removing unwanted compounds

• Ginkgo acid removal — Specialized processing reduces ginkgo acid content to ≤5 ppm

• Spray drying — Produces the final standardized powder

Yield: Typically 2-4% standardized extract from dried Ginkgo leaves

Supercritical CO₂ Extraction

Used primarily for defatting and producing full-spectrum extracts:

• Advantages: Solvent-free defatting, preserves volatile compounds

• Limitations: Cannot efficiently extract flavone glycosides (too polar for CO₂)

• Best use: Pre-treatment step before hydroalcoholic extraction

Membrane-Assisted Enrichment

Emerging technology for terpene lactone concentration:

• Uses nanofiltration membranes to selectively concentrate terpene lactones

• Can reduce solvent usage and energy consumption

• Application: Cost-effective production of high-terpene-lactone extracts

Standardization Grades and Specifications

Common Ginkgo Biloba Extract Grades

Quality Specification Sheet (Ginkgo 24/6 Extract)

Clinical Evidence and Dosage

Cognitive Health and Brain Function

Ginkgo biloba extract is one of the most researched botanicals for cognitive support:

• Typical dosage: 120-240 mg per day (divided into 2-3 doses), standardized to 24% flavone glycosides / 6% terpene lactones

• Study duration: 8 weeks to 6 months (some long-term studies up to 5+ years)

• Reported outcomes: Improved attention, working memory, and processing speed in healthy adults; support for age-related cognitive decline; enhanced cerebral blood flow

• Mechanism: Antioxidant protection of neurons, improved cerebral microcirculation, modulation of neurotransmitter systems, and neurotrophic factor expression

Circulatory Support

• Peripheral circulation: Improved walking distance in intermittent claudication patients

• Microcirculation: Enhanced blood flow to extremities, ears, and eyes

• Vasoregulation: Nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation and reduced blood viscosity

Safety Profile

• Generally well-tolerated: Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, or skin reactions in <2% of users

• Drug interactions: May interact with anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin) due to antiplatelet activity — consultation with healthcare provider recommended

• Contraindications: Not recommended before surgical procedures; caution with blood-thinning medications

Applications in the Supplement and Pharmaceutical Industries

Cognitive Health Supplements

The largest application segment, accounting for approximately 45% of Ginkgo biloba extract demand. Used in standalone products and multi-ingredient brain health formulas (often combined with Bacopa, phosphatidylserine, or omega-3 fatty acids).

Circulatory Support Products

Used in formulas targeting peripheral circulation, eye health, and ear health (tinnitus support).

Pharmaceutical Products

EGb 761 and its equivalents are approved prescription medications in several countries (notably Germany and France) for cognitive decline, peripheral arterial disease, and vertigo.

Functional Foods and Beverages

An emerging segment for Ginkgo-fortified beverages, energy drinks, and cognitive-enhancement snacks targeting professionals and students.

Why Choose Greensky Bio as Your Ginkgo Biloba Extract Supplier

Hangzhou Greensky Biological Tech Co., Ltd. has over 20 years of experience in natural plant extract manufacturing, with specialized expertise in Ginkgo biloba extract production. Our Jiangxi facility is ISO22000, BRCGS, Ecocert Organic Standard, and SGS-GMP certified, ensuring compliance with international pharmacopoeial standards.

Our Advantages

• Pharmacopoeial compliance: Extracts meeting Ph. Eur., USP, and ChP standards with full analytical documentation

• Ginkgo acid control: Advanced processing ensures ginkgo acid content ≤5 ppm in every batch

• Consistent 24/6 ratio: Every batch verified via HPLC for both flavone glycosides and terpene lactones

• Custom standardization: We can produce extracts with modified terpene lactone or flavone glycoside ratios per your specifications

• Full traceability: Leaf sourcing from certified Ginkgo plantations with batch-level documentation

• Production capacity: Our 6-ton extraction tanks and advanced adsorption resin systems support orders from 100 kg to multi-ton volumes

Looking for a reliable Ginkgo Biloba extract supplier with pharmacopoeial-grade quality? Contact Greensky Bio for samples, specifications, and competitive pricing.