Moisture and LOD are part of the spec, not a footnote
Loss on drying (LOD) measures the volatile content — mostly moisture plus any residual solvent — that leaves a sample under defined drying conditions, reported as a percentage by weight on the COA. It is the standard way botanical extract suppliers state moisture for powders and granules, and it should be read next to the assay, not in isolation. In our catalog the moisture check shows up explicitly for materials such as natural borneol (residual solvent and moisture) and goji polysaccharide (moisture, carrier and particle behavior for the powder form), and as loss on drying for the cosmetic peptides.
Moisture drives how the powder flows and handles
Moisture level changes flow, caking tendency and bulk density on the line. Curcumin's quality plan calls out particle size, bulk density and flow behavior for powder or granule use, because those handling properties decide whether a material meters cleanly into a capsule or blends evenly. An off-spec moisture figure can turn a free-flowing powder into one that bridges, clumps or sticks to the hopper.
Moisture links to microbiology and shelf life
Microbial growth needs water, so moisture and water activity are part of the same risk picture as the microbiology panel on the COA. Storage notes in our catalog reinforce the point: natural borneol sublimates above 41°C and must be kept sealed, cool and dry, and osmanthus volatile aroma is protected from heat and light. A higher moisture content raises both microbial risk and the chance of caking during storage, which is why moisture is reviewed together with the stability and microbiology data.
Set the LOD target to the form, then confirm the method
The right moisture target depends on the form. Low-moisture powders and granules are typical for flow and microbial control, while oil forms such as lycopene are instead specified by peroxide value and acid value rather than LOD. State a realistic range for your process, ask for the drying method and temperature on the COA, and read the LOD result beside the heavy-metals and microbiology panels so it is part of a full spec review.