Quercetin

Quercetin reference formula at a default of 500 mg per serving, developed as a capsule or powder.

Quercetin is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient quercetin product around 500 mg per serving. The brand sets the final amount for its market, and reference labels span 50 to 1,500 mg per serving.

Capsule is the lead format because most reference labels use it, with a powder version developed for brands that prefer a drink mix. The work centers on a yellow, poorly soluble flavonoid: the aglycone dissolves slowly in water, so the grade, the particle size and any bioavailability-enhancing system matter as much as the amount.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Quercetin500 mgQuercetin 98%, quercetin aglycone, specified on a quercetin basis; 500 mg quercetin per servingQuercetin dihydrate, or an enhanced-delivery form such as a phytosome or a cyclodextrin complex, each with its own specification and input

The amount is stated as mg of quercetin. Quercetin (anhydrous) is C15H10O7, 302.23 g/mol (PubChem CID 5280343); the dihydrate carries water of crystallization and weighs more per mg of quercetin, so the specification states which one the input follows.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around flavonoid nutrition. Quercetin is included as the single ingredient so that the concept stays on one plant polyphenol.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Plant flavonoid nutritionQuercetinA review describes quercetin as a polyphenol derived from plants that has shown a wide range of biological actions in vitro and in some animal models, and focuses on its properties, absorption, bioavailability and metabolism, while stating that further studies are needed to characterize the mechanisms underlying its effects on inflammation and immunity [1]. Evidence: Referenced

The amount is a design choice. The review in [1] draws mainly on in vitro and animal work and does not test this formula, so any claim on a finished product is reviewed for each market.

Available Formats

Reference labels are mostly capsules, with a smaller group of powders; capsule and powder are developed here.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule1 capsuleQuercetin 500 mg60 or 120 capsulesHPMC capsule shell, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearateLead format; size 00 capsule
Powder1 scoop, 3 gQuercetin 500 mg90 g tub (30 servings)Flavor, sweetener, acid, flow agentDrink mix; dispersion needs work

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. Quercetin is taken at 98% purity, so 500 mg of quercetin needs about 510 mg of the 98% powder (500 ÷ 0.98); the supplier’s certificate replaces this once the lot is chosen.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
CapsuleQuercetin 98% 510 mg600 mg per capsule90 mgFine powder flow, capsule weight spread, release in a dissolution medium
PowderQuercetin 98% 510 mg3 g per scoop2,490 mgWetting and suspension in water, color and staining, taste

Tablet, liquid and gummy are separate projects, because a poorly soluble yellow powder at this level changes the compression, suspension and color work in those systems.

Formulation Considerations

Poor solubility and absorption. A systematic review of 31 human studies reports that quercetin aglycone has low bioavailability compared with glycoside forms and with lecithin, cyclodextrin and self-emulsifying delivery systems, and that dietary fat and fibre roughly doubled bioavailability [2]. The form and any delivery system are therefore chosen early, and the cost and the amount per unit follow from that choice.
Fine, yellow powder. The aglycone is a fine, electrostatic, bright yellow powder that stains equipment and clumps. Particle size, a flow agent and cleaning validation are part of the plan.
Long-term, high-dose data. A safety review notes that adequate data on long-term use above 12 weeks at doses of 1,000 mg or more are not available, and that quercetin interacts with certain drugs and affects their bioavailability [3]. Higher amounts than the 500 mg example are offered only with that review in view.
Powder drink. In water the aglycone suspends rather than dissolves, and settles. A dispersing agent and mixing instructions are tested for the powder format.

Customization Options

Brands choose the quercetin form first, then the amount, the format and the add-ons.

ParameterRangeNote
Quercetin per serving250, 500 or 1000 mgExamples for the brand; amounts at 1,000 mg are checked against the safety review in [3]
FormAglycone, dihydrate, phytosome or cyclodextrin complexChanges input and bioavailability
FormatCapsule or powderTablet, liquid and gummy are separate projects
Add-onsVitamin C, bromelain, zincA second ingredient changes the fill weight and the claim wording

The pilot run confirms the quercetin assay at the chosen grade, capsule fill weight, and the suspension behavior of the powder in water.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
PowderLemon, orange, tropicalCitrus flavors cover the bitter note of the flavonoid

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (500 mg on the label of CF023217; example DSLD labels 247523, 247862, 268095). The label names the ingredient as quercetin; the aglycone is set as the form.
SpecificationSet in formulationQuercetin at 500 mg per serving with a stated purity and form; assay, moisture, microbial and heavy-metal limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Li Y, Yao J, Han C, et al. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016;8(3):167. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Liu L, Barber E, Kellow NJ, et al. Improving quercetin bioavailability: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human intervention studies. Food Chem. 2025;477:143630. DOI · PubMed<br>[3] Andres S, Pevny S, Ziegenhagen R, et al. Safety Aspects of the Use of Quercetin as a Dietary Supplement. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018;62(1). DOI · PubMed

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