Dark cocoa extract powder is a 20:1 extract of Theobroma cacao bean, standardized to theobromine — cocoa’s principal methylxanthine marker, measured by HPLC. Bionutricia’s house grade runs at roughly 2–3% theobromine and is customizable to 5–20% on request. It is supplied in bulk to B2B and OEM formulators from a JAKIM Halal-certified, FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI facility in Malaysia, with a Certificate of Analysis on every lot.
Quick facts for formulators
- Botanical / part: Theobroma cacao, bean (seed)
- Extraction ratio: 20:1
- Standardisation marker: theobromine (HPLC) — house ~2–3%, customizable to 5–20%
- Form / colour / odour: fine dark-brown powder, characteristic cocoa
- Solubility: dispersible in water · Dosage: per finished-product formulation (on request)
- Pack sizes: 1 kg · 5 kg · 20 kg
- Certifications: JAKIM Halal · FSSC 22000 · US FDA registered · GMP · HACCP · MeSTI · COA per lot
- Process patent: enzymatic + ultrasonic extraction (MY-188945-A)
- Clean label: vegan, non-GMO, no added colourants, fillers or preservatives
- Shelf life: 24 months sealed, cool & dry · Origin: Malaysia
What is dark cocoa extract powder?
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is the seed of the cacao tree — the raw material of chocolate and one of the richest dietary sources of the methylxanthine theobromine and of cocoa polyphenols. Bionutricia’s dark cocoa extract is a 20:1 concentrate of the bean that carries cocoa’s deep flavour and its marker actives into a stable, dark-brown powder. For a formulator this converts variable cocoa inputs into a consistent raw material with a defined, selectable theobromine level — simple to dose, blend and document.
Active compound & standardisation
Cocoa’s characteristic bioactive is theobromine, a purine-alkaloid methylxanthine (3,7-dimethylxanthine) chemically related to caffeine but milder. Bionutricia standardises the extract to a defined theobromine level measured by HPLC, so theobromine serves as the identity-and-consistency marker for every lot. The house grade is approximately 2–3% theobromine, and — unusually for a cocoa ingredient — the marker level is customizable to customer specification (for example 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%), letting a brand match potency to their format and label. Cocoa also naturally carries polyphenolic flavanols (including epicatechin); the standardisation target for this ingredient is theobromine.
How theobromine works in the body (mechanism)
Theobromine is a mild methylxanthine. Like other members of that family it acts as a non-selective adenosine-receptor antagonist and a weak phosphodiesterase inhibitor, producing gentle vasodilation, bronchodilation and a mild, longer-acting stimulant effect that is weaker than caffeine. Its recognised antitussive (cough-calming) action is attributed to inhibition of vagal sensory-nerve activation in the airway. Cocoa’s separate flavanol fraction acts through nitric-oxide-mediated endothelial signalling. Mechanism is provided as scientific background on the botanical and its constituents; it is not a claim that this ingredient treats, cures or prevents any condition.
Clinical evidence on cocoa & theobromine
Cocoa and its isolated constituents have been studied in controlled human trials. The results below were obtained by independent researchers on defined cocoa or theobromine preparations; they are attributed to those studies and provided as scientific context for formulators — not as performance claims for this ingredient. Both positive and null findings are shown.
| Constituent / area | Best available human evidence | Result (attributed to the study) |
|---|---|---|
| Theobromine — cough | RCT, capsaicin-induced cough (Usmani 2005, FASEB J); antitussive capsule trial, n=332 | Theobromine raised the cough threshold vs placebo/codeine, well tolerated |
| Theobromine — blood lipids (HDL) | RCT, n=152, 4 weeks, 850 mg/day pure theobromine (Neufingerl 2013, Am J Clin Nutr) | HDL-cholesterol increased vs placebo; LDL also rose modestly (mixed lipid picture) |
| Theobromine — blood pressure | RCT, n=42, 3 weeks, 979 mg/day (van den Bogaard 2010, Hypertension) | Central systolic BP fell ~4.3 mmHg at 2 h, but 24-h ambulatory systolic BP rose ~3.2 mmHg — no clear benefit |
| Cocoa flavanols — cardiovascular (context) | RCT, n=21,442, median 3.6 y, 500 mg flavanols/day (COSMOS, Sesso 2022) | Primary endpoint not met (HR 0.90); secondary CV-death HR 0.73 (0.54–0.98). Basis of a 2023 FDA qualified health claim for high-flavanol cocoa |
Effect sizes are modest, some findings are null or mixed, and trials used varying doses and preparations; results describe cocoa and theobromine in research settings and are not extrapolated to any Bionutricia finished product.
Typical specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Botanical source / part | Theobroma cacao, bean (seed) |
| Extraction ratio | 20:1 |
| Appearance / colour / odour | Fine dark-brown powder, characteristic cocoa |
| Standardisation marker | Theobromine (HPLC) — house ~2–3%, customizable to 5–20% |
| Solubility | Dispersible in water |
| Dosage | Per finished-product formulation (on request) |
| Heavy metals & microbial | Within house limits; stated on the batch COA |
| Certifications | JAKIM Halal, FSSC 22000, US FDA registered, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI |
| Process patent | MY-188945-A (enzymatic + ultrasonic) |
| Shelf life | 24 months sealed, cool & dry |
| Pack sizes | 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg |
| Country of origin | Malaysia |
Full specification and a batch Certificate of Analysis are provided on request. Figures are typical values; confirm the current lot COA for release data and the agreed theobromine level.
Applications
As a dispersible 20:1 concentrate with a selectable theobromine level, dark cocoa extract blends into both powder and liquid systems. Bionutricia supplies the bulk ingredient for B2B formulation; brand owners and manufacturers formulate it into their chosen finished format — functional and instant beverages, drinking chocolate and malt drinks, dairy and plant-milk systems, bakery and confectionery, capsules, tablets, sachets and stick-packs — carrying cocoa’s characteristic flavour and a documented theobromine level.
Why source dark cocoa extract from Bionutricia?
Bionutricia Extract has manufactured standardized Malaysian botanical extracts since 2006 under a full halal and international food-safety stack (JAKIM Halal, FSSC 22000, US FDA registration, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI), issuing a Certificate of Analysis on every lot. Its enzymatic-and-ultrasonic extraction process is patented (MY-188945-A), concentrating cocoa’s flavour and marker actives — with a theobromine level you can specify — and no added colourants, fillers or preservatives. Bulk OEM, custom standardisation and spray-dry/packing are available. See the live dark cocoa extract product page for ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Standardized to what / can the level be customized? 20:1 extract of Theobroma cacao bean standardized to theobromine by HPLC; house grade ~2–3%, customizable to 5–20%; batch COA per lot.
Is it halal? Yes — JAKIM Halal certified, also FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI; halal documentation issued with each shipment.
Why theobromine as the marker? It is cocoa’s principal methylxanthine and a stable, easily assayed marker, so a brand can document a defined, consistent active level.
Is it water-soluble? Dispersible in water; intended for beverages, dairy, bakery and functional-food systems.
What formats can I make? We supply the bulk ingredient; you formulate it into beverages, drinking chocolate, dairy, bakery, confectionery, capsules, tablets or sachets.
MOQ & lead time? Pack sizes 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg; pre-order packing ~1–2 weeks. MOQ & pricing on quotation.
Samples? Paid samples for serious B2B enquiries.
Storage & shelf life? Sealed, cool & dry, away from pests; 24 months when properly stored.
