Product Introduction
WEHENGFOOD is a professional China-based manufacturer, supplier, and exporter/distributor of Ergothioneine (L-Ergothioneine, CAS 497-30-3) for the cosmetics, personal care, food, and dietary supplement industries. As a trusted WEHENGFOOD™ brand ingredient, our Ergothioneine is produced via advanced bio-fermentation technology, offering high purity, stable quality, and competitive pricing for bulk and small-batch buyers worldwide.
Ergothioneine is a rare, naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid (chemical name: L-2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine) originally synthesized by fungi such as mushrooms. It is found in human tissues and organs — particularly red blood cells, the liver, and the kidneys — but cannot be synthesized by the human body itself, making it an essential compound that must be obtained externally. Ergothioneine is widely recognized in the cosmetic industry as a powerful natural antioxidant, with free-radical scavenging capacity that surpasses glutathione, vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10 — its antioxidant potency is reported to be up to 40 times that of Coenzyme Q10.
Thanks to its outstanding antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, firming, and soothing properties, Ergothioneine has become a signature active ingredient in premium international skincare lines as well as emerging domestic beauty brands, widely used in serums, eye creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, and brightening products.
Recommended Usage by Claim
| Efficacy Claim | Recommended Dosage |
|---|---|
| Synergistic active booster | 0.0001%–0.001% |
| Antioxidant | 0.01%–0.1% |
| Whitening/brightening | 0.02% |
| Whitening, brightening & anti-inflammatory | 0.05% |
| Anti-aging & sensitive skin repair | 0.1% |
| Fast anti-aging & milia (fat granule) reduction | 0.5% |
| Sun protection & anti-photoaging | 2% |
Certificate of Analysis
Item | Specification | Result |
Appearance | White to off-white crystals | Conform |
Identification | The retention time of the main peak of the solution should be consistent with the retention time of the main peak of the reference solution. |
Conform |
Specific rotation | ≥ (+)122° | (+)130.1° |
Assay (area%) | ≥ 99.99% | 100.0% |
Water | ≤ 0.5% | 0. 12% |
Residue on ignition | ≤ 0. 1% | 0.01% |
Heavy metals | ≤ 10 ppm | Conform |
As* | ≤ 2 ppm | Conform |
Pb* | ≤ 10 ppm | Conform |
Cd* | ≤ 5 ppm | Conform |
Hg* | ≤ 1 ppm | Conform |
Total bacteria count | ≤ 500 cfu/g | < 100 cfu/g |
Mold and Yeast | ≤ 100 cfu/g | Not detected |
Thermotolerant coliform bacteria | Absent/g | Not detected |
Staphylococcus aureus | Absent/g | Not detected |
Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Absent/g | Not detected |
Conclusion | Comply with Specifications. | |
Key Functions & Benefits
1. Antioxidant
Ergothioneine enters cells via the OCTN1 transporter protein, concentrating in the mitochondria and nucleus where it directly neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also binds to the Nrf2 antioxidant regulatory factor, activating the expression of endogenous antioxidant genes and reinforcing the skin’s natural defense against oxidative stress.
2. Anti-Wrinkle & Firming
In zebrafish efficacy studies, Ergothioneine significantly upregulated the relative expression of the col1a1a (collagen) and eln1 (elastin) genes, supporting increased collagen and elastin synthesis for firmer, smoother, more resilient skin.
3. Soothing & Anti-Inflammatory
Ergothioneine suppresses the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibits the AP-1 transcription activator in human dermal fibroblasts, reducing inflammatory response and the spread of inflammation — making it well-suited for sensitive skin formulations.
4. UV Protection & Brightening
By reducing the excess reactive oxygen species (·OH, O2⁻, and peroxides) generated by UV exposure, Ergothioneine helps inhibit UV-induced photoaging. It also inhibits tyrosinase activity, contributing to a brightening/anti-dark-spot effect, and improves skin hydration and elasticity.
5. High Safety Profile
Toxicological studies show no significant toxicity at high doses (800 mg/kg body weight), no evidence of mutagenicity, and no carcinogenic risk with long-term intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed that Ergothioneine, at recommended use levels, is safe for infants, toddlers, and pregnant/breastfeeding women, with no significant adverse effects reported in special populations.
Applications
- Anti-aging serums, eye creams, and moisturizers
- Whitening and dark-spot correcting products
- Sunscreen and after-sun repair products
- Soothing/sensitive-skin formulations
- Dietary supplements and functional foods (Ergothioneine has been approved for use in supplements/food in the EU, US, and Japan)
Why Choose WEHENGFOOD as Your Ergothioneine Supplier
As a specialized manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler, and exporter of Ergothioneine, WEHENGFOOD offers:
- Ultra-high purity: ≥99.99% content, produced via bio-fermentation rather than plant/animal extraction or chemical synthesis;
- Cost-effective pricing: scaled fermentation production for competitive bulk and sample pricing;
- Consistent, stable quality: proprietary fermentation process unaffected by raw material batch variation;
- Low MOQ for testing: sample orders from just 10g, ideal for R&D and formulation trials before bulk purchase;
- Global export capability: reliable supply chain for cosmetics, personal care, and food/supplement manufacturers worldwide
Factory
Package
Exhibitions
FAQ
Q1: What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for Ergothioneine?
The minimum order quantity (MOQ) for WEHENGFOOD’s Ergothioneine is 10g, allowing brands and formulators to order a small trial sample for R&D and testing before committing to a bulk purchase.
Q2: What is the recommended usage level of Ergothioneine in cosmetic formulations?
The general recommended usage level is 0.1%, though this can be adjusted based on the desired claim: 0.01%–0.1% for antioxidant benefits, 0.02% for whitening, and up to 2% for sun protection/anti-photoaging formulations.
Q3: How does Ergothioneine’s antioxidant power compare to Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E?
At equivalent concentrations, Ergothioneine has a stronger free-radical scavenging capacity than glutathione, vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10, with antioxidant potency reported to be up to 40 times that of Coenzyme Q10.
Q4: Is Ergothioneine safe for pregnant women and sensitive skin?
Yes. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed that Ergothioneine is safe for infants, toddlers, and pregnant/breastfeeding women at recommended use levels, with no significant side effects in special populations. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties also make it well suited for sensitive-skin formulations.
Q5: What types of products is Ergothioneine best suited for?
Ergothioneine is commonly used in serums, eye creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, whitening/brightening products, and soothing/repair formulations. It is also approved for use in dietary supplements and functional foods in the EU, US, and Japan.
Q6: How is WEHENGFOOD’s Ergothioneine manufactured, and how does it differ from other sources?
WEHENGFOOD produces Ergothioneine using an advanced bio-fermentation process, rather than traditional plant/animal extraction (which often contains more impurities) or chemical synthesis (which is less environmentally friendly). This allows us to achieve ≥99.99% purity at a lower cost, with more stable, consistent quality batch after batch.
