How to read a kratom extract certificate of analysis
A useful kratom extract COA names an ISO/IEC 17025 lab, matches the lot number on your packaging, and reports mitragynine, minor alkaloids, 7-OH and MP with detection limits, plus heavy metals, microbiology and residual solvents. A COA missing any of these, or without a lot number, does not describe what you received.
1. Identity: lab, lot and date
- Laboratory name and accreditation number (ISO/IEC 17025), with the accreditation scope covering the methods used
- Lot or batch number that matches your drum label
- Sample receipt and report dates
2. Alkaloid profile
Expect mitragynine plus the main minor alkaloids (speciogynine, paynantheine, speciociliatine), measured by HPLC or LC-MS/MS. Values should be stated as % w/w with the method named.
3. 7-OH and MP
Since October 2026 these are the most important lines on the page. Both should be reported with a limit of quantitation; 'ND' means nothing without the detection limit beside it. Convert to mg/g (0.1% = 1 mg/g) and check the mitragynine ratio.
4. Contaminants
| Panel | Typical method | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) | ICP-MS | Each metal reported against a stated limit |
| Microbiology | Plate count / PCR | Salmonella and E. coli absent; TAMC, yeast and mold counts |
| Residual solvents | GC-HS | Each extraction solvent reported against a limit |
Red flags
- No lot number, or one COA reused across many lots
- Alkaloid-only certificate while the seller claims full contaminant testing
- Lab not named, or COAs available only by email
- 7-OH shown without units or a detection limit