KSM-66, Ixoreal Updates?

Yes, but not validated yet. We think the withanolides are complexed with oligosaccharides due to their patented process. This is why it is all coming out in the void of the UPLC, as that is what oligosaccharides do. This is also probably why they don't want to release all the data for it, as complexing withanolides with oligosaccharides is a unique process. It's also a very complex thing to validate after the fact. It's for sure ashwagandha, though. The HP-TLC confirms that. It is just unique in the ashwagandha world.

Here is the HP-TLC plate of KSM-66 compared to botanical reference materials of ashwagandha leaf and root.

Here is the same plate with different lighting.

So you can see it is ashwagandha root, but is just a bit more unique. So it fits with a unique patented extraction process of ashwagandha roots.

Here is the UPLC chromatogram from a KSM-66 batch.

Here is the UPLC chromatrogram of the mixed withanolide reference standard.

You can see there are some withanolides in there, but they are in very low concentrations. What we do see is a massive spike in the void at the start of the run.

See here.

That initial void is where things like oligosaccharides and polysaccharides show up, which is why we think the withanolides are being complexed with them and pulled into the void on the methods.

Here is a UPLC chromatogram from Shoden for reference.

You can see there is nothing in the void, and the free withanolides are in MUCH higher concentrations. Just reference the mAU on the side to get an idea of relative concentrations. So does the milk used in the process affect these concentrations? We are not sure yet. I will get some non-milk KSM to see if we can see any differences. It might be difficult if it all comes out in the void again. However, if the non-milk shows higher free withanolides, and the milk-based one shows higher peaks in the void, that might at least confirm our suspicions.