Ethanol 190 Proof

Ethanol 190 Proof, often referred to as rectified spirit, is a highly purified form of ethyl alcohol, characterized by its 95% (190 proof) ethanol content and 5% water. This specific concentration is paramount for its efficacy across a multitude of industrial and scientific applications, particularly within the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. Primarily sourced through the fermentation of biomass, such as corn, sugarcane, or other agricultural feedstocks, followed by meticulous distillation, it yields a product free from undesirable impurities. The designation "190 Proof" signifies its high purity level, rendering it exceptionally suitable for applications demanding minimal water content. The production process involves stringent quality control measures, often encompassing multiple distillation steps, to achieve the requisite purity and ensure compliance with regulatory standards for excipients and processing aids. This high-grade ethanol is highly valued for its inherent solvency, volatility, and potent antimicrobial properties, which are fundamental to its widespread utility and consistent performance.

While Ethanol 190 Proof itself is not typically consumed for direct health benefits, its indispensable role in supplement manufacturing lies in its capacity as a highly effective solvent for extracting a vast array of bioactive compounds from botanical sources. Its amphipathic nature enables it to efficiently dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds, making it ideal for isolating diverse phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes, all of which contribute significantly to the therapeutic efficacy of herbal extracts. Scientific studies, including those documented in the *Journal of Chromatography A*, consistently highlight ethanol's superior extraction efficiency for many plant compounds when compared to water or other solvents, often resulting in higher yields and purer extracts. Furthermore, ethanol acts as a robust natural preservative, effectively inhibiting microbial growth in liquid formulations and tinctures, thereby extending product shelf-life without reliance on synthetic additives. This mechanism is primarily attributed to its ability to denature proteins and disrupt the cellular membranes of microorganisms, ensuring product stability and safety.

In supplement formulation, Ethanol 190 Proof is extensively applied as a solvent in botanical extraction, leading to the production of concentrated tinctures and liquid extracts from popular herbs like Turmeric, Echinacea, and Ginkgo Biloba. It is also crucially utilized in the production of essential oils and resinoids, where its precise ability to selectively dissolve target compounds is paramount for quality and potency. Quality considerations for ethanol are exceptionally rigorous, demanding adherence to specifications such as USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) grades to guarantee safety and purity for human consumption, even in trace residual amounts. Research into solvent extraction optimization continually refines techniques, focusing on parameters like temperature, time, and ethanol concentration to maximize the yield and bioactivity of specific target compounds, as evidenced by numerous studies published in *Food Chemistry*. For instance, precise ethanol concentrations are often optimized for the efficient extraction of flavonoids from citrus peels or alkaloids from specific plant materials, showcasing its remarkable versatility and scientific foundation in product development. Its application is also critical in purification processes, facilitating the separation of desired compounds from inert plant material, thereby contributing significantly to the potency, consistency, and overall quality of the final supplement product.