Description
A cold-pressed and refined seed oil from Borago officinalis (borage), naturally containing the highest concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) among commercial plant sources, typically 20 to 24 percent of total fatty acids.
Pale yellow to amber clear oil with a mild characteristic odor. Supplied refined, bleached, and deodorized for softgel encapsulation and finished-product formulation.
We supply food-grade and supplement-grade Borage Oil from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include Borage Oil GLA 20% (standard concentration), GLA 22% (premium concentration), and GLA 80% concentrate (urea-complexation purified, used in pharmaceutical and high-dose supplement applications).
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering GLA assay, full fatty acid profile, peroxide value, anisidine value, pesticide residues, and microbiology.
Introduction
Gamma-linolenic acid is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbons and three double bonds, occurring naturally in only a small number of plant seed oils. Borage seed contains the highest concentration commercially available, followed by blackcurrant and evening primrose.
Borage cultivation for seed oil began as a specialty crop in the United Kingdom and New Zealand in the 1980s, expanding to China, Canada, and parts of Eastern Europe. Chinese production today is concentrated in the northeast and inner Mongolia regions where the crop performs well in continental climates.
The seed is cold-pressed to yield crude oil, then refined by alkali neutralization, bleaching, and steam deodorization to remove pyrrolizidine alkaloids that occur naturally in the green parts of the plant. PA-free certification is standard in supplement-grade material.
GLA is metabolized in the body to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and downstream to series-1 prostaglandins, which underpins the clinical interest in GLA supplementation for inflammatory and dermatological conditions.
Oxidative stability is moderate. Mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract are typically added at 500 to 1500 ppm in finished oil to extend shelf life through softgel manufacturing and consumer storage.
Where it is used
- Premium softgel supplements positioned for skin, hormonal, and inflammatory support
- Combination omega supplements with fish oil, evening primrose, or flaxseed oil
- Women's health and PMS formulations
- Infant and pediatric nutrition where GLA supplementation is appropriate
- Dermatological and cosmetic emollient products for dry and atopic skin
- Veterinary supplements, particularly canine skin and coat formulas
- Functional food fortification at low inclusion levels
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale yellow to amber clear oil |
| GLA content | ≥ 20.0% |
| Linoleic acid | 35% to 40% |
| Oleic acid | 15% to 20% |
| Acid value | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g |
| Peroxide value | ≤ 5 meq/kg |
| Anisidine value | ≤ 10 |
| Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Not detected (PA-free) |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg |
Ready to discuss business?
Send us your spec and requirement. We will respond with availability and pricing within 24 hours.