American Shea Butter Institute

Lab Testing and Grading E-mail

Shea Testing and Certification Services

ASBI LABORATORY TESTING

Since 2002, ASBI has been the leading international provider of analytical shea butter testing and grading services, from advanced R&D research projects to routine quality tests.  ASBI analytical services are provided by trained chemists, material scientists, technicians and laboratory management with over 20 years of relevant industry knowledge and experience.

Shea Laboratory Analysis include:

  • Physical assessment of shea.
  • Chemical assessment of shea.
  • Moisture content.
  • Toxin, metal, and containment testing.
  • Microbiological analysis.
  • Pesticide residue testing.
  • NMR Melting Profile
  • Peroxide values
  • Free Fatty Acid profile
  • Fatty Acid Profile
  • Triglyceride Profile
  • Rancidity Values
  • Self Life Studies

QUALITY GRADING OF SHEA BUTTER

The knowledge of Quality-Grade for a given batch of Shea Butter has unparalleled value for everyone engaged in the shea butter value chain.  During Grade Analysis a number of tests are performed to determine the level of bio-active ingredients and overall quality issues. Based on the test results your Shea will be Graded and scored. To learn more about testing procedure and how to send your butter for testing CLICK HERE FOR TESTING SHEA SAMPLES.

 

LAB TESTS TO EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF THE BIO-ACTIVE FRACTION

Before Shea Butter receives the distinction as Grade A Shea Butter, the butter must demonstrate a distinguished Bio-active fraction of 6% or greater by laboratory tests. The tests should demonstrate an adequate supply of important ingredients in the Bio-active fraction. There are 4 important tests used to reveal the quality of the Bio-active (nonsaponifiable) fraction. 

In some cases during the extraction process sufficient amounts of the above ingredients are not preserved to the end product.  Shea Butter that has insufficient amounts of the above ingredients could result in poor performance or non-performance depending on end user expectations.  We can now and do often identify those butters where failure to preserve an adequate amount of important ingredients occurred.  At the time of grade analysis those butters with insufficient amounts of the important ingredients will earn the Grade B, C or D.

 

BIO-ACTIVE GRADES of SHEA BUTTER

Shea Butter comes in different grades: Grade A; Grade B; Grade C; Grade D; or Grade F.  When laboratory analysis is done, grade is determined by the presence or absence of various nutrients. Grade A is the highest and best quality for cosmetics and personal industry.   Grade D is the lowest grade missing most of the valuable nutrients. The highest grades are awarded to those butters with the largest Bio-active fraction (5% and above), a good safety screen, and rancidity value below 10.  To that end, only the best preparation of unrefined shea butter can earn the Grade A status. Because of the limited amount of the Bio-active fraction preserved during the refining process, refined Shea Butter scores are typically grade C, sometimes Grade D, but never Grade A. and rarely Grade B.

Grade F is reserved for Shea Butter not fit for human use. Grade F Shea is contaminated by microorganisms (such as mold, yeast or coliform bacteria) or contaminated with heavy metals (such as lead or mercury).

 

HOW TO SEND A SAMPLE FOR TESTING

Buyers or sellers desiring Grading Analysis should forward a sample to the American Shea For instructions on forwarding samples, CLICK HERE FOR TESTING SHEA SAMPLES.
 
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