Why Is Quillaja Extract Used in Poultry and Livestock Feed?
2026-09-18 14:00:03
Quillaja Extract is a standardized botanical preparation made from the wood and inner bark of Quillaja saponaria Molina, the soapbark tree of Chile. Its value in feed manufacturing comes from the behaviour of its triterpenoid saponins in water and in fat: the molecules are surface-active, so they matter wherever a formulator needs an emulsifying, dispersing or ammonia-binding component. Buyers meet it as a standardized powder with a declared assay, and three questions decide the purchase — what is in the powder, how the assay is verified, and which regulatory route applies in the destination market.
What Is Quillaja Extract and Why Does It Matter in Animal Nutrition?
Botanical Origin and Active Chemistry
The saponins of Quillaja saponaria are glycosides of quillaic acid. Structurally they are amphiphilic: a lipophilic triterpenoid aglycone carries a hydrophilic sugar chain, with apiose, arabinose, galactose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose and xylose among the reported residues. That asymmetry is why the material is bought on an assay, not on appearance.
Extracts are standardized on total saponins, usually by UV or HPLC; mass spectrometry is what confirms identity. EFSA's 2024 opinion on a Quillaja saponaria / Yucca schidigera additive reported the markers below across five recent batches of the raw material.
| Marker | Average content (mg/kg) | Range (mg/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| QS-7 | 1,400 | 1,200–1,600 |
| QS-17 | 5,000 | 3,300–6,600 |
| QS-18 | 5,500 | 3,400–6,900 |
| QS-21 | 1,700 | 800–2,900 |
The same opinion shows what a declared specification contains: saponins above 3.5% w/w, moisture below 7%, extractable solids above 15%, more than 90% of particles passing 250 µm, and an ammonium-binding capacity (B50) below 6 g. Across five batches, EFSA measured moisture of 1.7%, granulometry of 93.5%, extractable solids of 16.7%, saponins of 4.5% and a B50 of 4.7 g.
From Traditional Use to Modern Feed Formulation
Soapbark, the common name, refers to what these saponins do in water: they foam and they lower surface tension. What separates historical use from the ingredient on a purchase order is control rather than chemistry. A powdered extract is standardized so that a fixed mass delivers a fixed quantity of saponin, blended into premixes and verified batch by batch.
How Soapbark Saponins Address Real Challenges in Poultry and Livestock Feed
Feed manufacturers have spent two decades reducing growth-promoting antimicrobials and tightening documentation on every input. A botanical preparation is not a medicated feed, but it still has to be defined, labelled and documented for the market it is sold into, and that paperwork is now part of the sourcing decision.
Where Surface Activity Matters in the Feed Matrix
Saponins lower the interfacial tension between oil and water, which becomes practical behaviour a mill can specify and check:
- Emulsification and dispersion. In diets carrying added vegetable oil or animal fat, a surface-active ingredient helps the oil phase disperse evenly instead of pooling — the property most often written into a specification.
- Ammonium binding. Ammonium-binding capacity is expressed as B50 (g) and is small when the material is potent. It is one of the few saponin functions that can be stated as a test result, which makes it a useful contractual parameter.
- Manure and litter ammonia. Published pig studies measured reduced faecal ammonia emission when Quillaja saponin was included in the diet under defined trial conditions; the reported mechanism is saponin–protein complex formation plus direct ammonia binding (Table 2).
- Premix handling. Particle size, dustiness and flowability govern how a fine powder behaves in a blender and a bagging line. The additive assessed by EFSA passed 250 µm at more than 90% and was classified as irritant to the eyes and respiratory system.
What the Published Evidence Covers — and What It Does Not
Peer-reviewed work on quillaja saponins in monogastric species exists but is narrow: few research groups, different preparations, and outcomes that depend on species, trial length and baseline performance. The levels shown below are research conditions, not recommended inclusion levels.
| Study | Species and design | Level tested in the diet | Duration | Endpoints measured | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dai et al., 2023 (Animals 13:1447) | Yellow-feather broilers, 480 birds, 4 groups (control, Yucca saponin, Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria) | 500 mg/kg per treatment group | 56 days | Growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, serum parameters, caecal digesta analysis | All three saponin groups had higher average daily gain than the control (p < 0.01); the Yucca schidigera group also had a lower feed-to-gain ratio than the control (p < 0.05) |
| Dang & Kim, 2021 (Can. J. Anim. Sci. 101:4) | Growing pigs, 50 animals, 2 treatments | 200 mg/kg Quillaja saponin | 56 days | Growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, faecal bacterial counts, faecal gas emission | Average daily gain increased over days 0–56 (p < 0.05); faecal ammonia emission decreased on day 56 (p < 0.01); no significant effect on apparent total tract digestibility |
| Dang & Kim, 2020 (J. Appl. Anim. Res. 48:397–401) | Finishing pigs, 80 animals | 400 mg/kg Quillaja saponin | 61 days | Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal gas emissions, meat quality | Reported improvements in meat quality and reduced faecal noxious gas emission |
Two conclusions follow. These effects were obtained at specific levels in specific diets over specific periods, so treat them as a hypothesis for a trial in your own system. And safety is not efficacy: EFSA's FEEDAP Panel concluded that a combined Quillaja saponaria / Yucca schidigera additive was safe for chickens for fattening at 250 mg/kg complete feed with a margin of safety of 20, assuming 3.58% saponins — while stating that it could not conclude on efficacy.
Quillaja Extract vs. Other Natural Feed Additives
How Does Quillaja Extract Compare with Yucca Extract?
The obvious comparison is with Yucca schidigera extract, and the honest answer is that these are different molecules, not two grades of one material. Quillaja saponins are triterpenoid, built on quillaic acid, so a saponin percentage from one source cannot be read across to the other; compare them on identical assay methods, or on your own trial data.
Comparative claims that circulate in the trade — of broader emulsification performance, a wider functional spectrum, or a higher saponin content per gram of powder — are not supported by the peer-reviewed literature we could locate, so we do not repeat them here. What the literature does contain is a direct comparison in yellow-feather broilers: all three saponin treatments raised average daily gain above the control, while the Yucca schidigera group was the one whose feed-to-gain ratio improved significantly. The right saponin source is a trial question, not a datasheet question.
The two are also used together: the additive assessed by EFSA was a physical mixture of Quillaja saponaria (85% w/w) and Yucca schidigera (15% w/w) powder, a common route for premixes that need ammonium binding and emulsification in one line item. Formulators often review other botanicals, such as oregano powder, in the same exercise.
Powder vs. Liquid: Practical Procurement Considerations
Dry premix manufacture is usually simpler with a standardized powder: precise weighing, no dilution step, and storage as a dry botanical under ordinary warehouse conditions. Wellgreen's product documentation specifies a 24-month shelf life when the powder is kept cool and dry, and moisture control decides whether that holds. Liquid extracts suit wet-feed and aquafeed, but density and solids content drift, so a volumetric dose needs a per-litre assay and a preservative strategy. When comparing quotations, check whether the assay is as-is or dry basis. Suppliers running custom concentration or liquid formats will normally quote both routes.
How to Procure Quality Soapbark Extract for Feed Production
Identity is the central commercial risk here, and it is documented rather than hypothetical. In a 2026 study in Poultry Science, researchers built an HPLC–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry confirmation test for quillaja saponin in pelleted poultry feed; the method confirmed quillaja in finished feed and also detected Madhuca longifolia saponin — a cheaper alternative — in some samples, which the authors describe as adulteration. LC–MS profiling of crude Quillaja saponaria extracts had been used for authentication as early as 2004. Build the specification around verification, not a printed percentage:
- Assay method. Require UV and HPLC together; an HPLC fingerprint resolves the individual markers and mass-spectrometric confirmation settles identity.
- Marker profile. Ask for individual saponin markers rather than a single total, on every batch, so that drift is visible.
- Batch-level certificate of analysis. Saponin content, moisture, ash, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues reported per lot, not per product family.
- Certification. FAMI-QS and ISO 22000 site certification provides a feed-safety framework to audit against, and GMP compliance adds production discipline.
- Traceability and custom specification capability. Documented harvest origin is a quality indicator in its own right, and a supplier able to hold 10–30% feed-grade and 60–80% concentrated grades gives a formulator room to work.
| What you request | What it establishes | Why it matters at batch level |
|---|---|---|
| UV assay | Total UV-active saponin-related content | Fast and cheap, but insufficient on its own to prove botanical identity |
| HPLC fingerprint with marker quantification | Presence and proportions of QS-7, QS-17, QS-18 and QS-21 | Detects substitution or dilution by a different saponin source |
| LC–MS or LC–QToF-MS confirmation | Structural identity of the saponins in the finished premix or feed | The only level of evidence that can confirm identity in a complex matrix |
| Ammonium-binding capacity (B50) | Functional performance per unit of powder | Separates saponin content from saponin usefulness |
| Moisture, particle size, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticides | Handling behaviour, stability and contaminant control | Drives shelf life, blend behaviour and the mill's exposure controls |
Safety Profile and Regulatory Status
United States, food use. Quillaia (soapbark), Quillaja saponaria Mol., is listed among the natural flavouring substances permitted in food under 21 CFR 172.510. That is a human-food provision and should not be presented as a feed authorisation.
United States, feed use. Medicated feed uses that FDA has placed under the Veterinary Feed Directive are permitted only under the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Botanical preparations follow the feed ingredient route, so check the ingredient definition, labelling and permitted intended use for your market.
European Union, food use. Quillaia extract is authorised as food additive E 999 (CAS 68990-67-0). EFSA re-evaluated it, derived an acceptable daily intake of 3 mg saponins per kg body weight per day, and published a follow-up opinion in 2024. Food status is not feed status.
European Union, feed use. Under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 no feed additive may be placed on the market without an authorisation. In its 2024 opinion EFSA noted that the Quillaja saponaria / Yucca schidigera additive assessed was not authorised for feed in the EU, while Yucca schidigera was authorised as a flavouring compound for all animal species.
Handling. The FEEDAP Panel found the assessed additive not irritant to skin but irritant to the eyes and the respiratory system, with data insufficient to conclude on skin sensitisation — for a powder-handling mill, that means dust control and closed transfer.
We do not publish inclusion levels: they depend on species, product form, assay basis and the applicable authorisation, and must come from the supplier's data.
Conclusion
Quillaja Extract is a well-defined botanical ingredient with a narrow but real evidence base and a clear analytical story. Its saponins are surface-active, which is what makes them useful as an emulsifying and ammonium-binding component in premixes, and the markers QS-7, QS-17, QS-18 and QS-21 give a laboratory something concrete to look for. For a buyer, the deciding skill is not the lowest quoted percentage but material whose identity and assay can be verified batch by batch.
FAQ
Can a quillaja preparation be used alongside medicated feed programmes?
That belongs to the feed manufacturer, the attending veterinarian and the destination regulator. A saponin preparation is not a Veterinary Feed Directive drug and does not replace veterinary oversight where that is required.
Which certifications should I require from a quillaja extract supplier?
At a minimum, FAMI-QS and ISO 22000 documentation for the site, plus GMP evidence where a certified line runs, and batch certificates covering saponin content by HPLC, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues. Site certification shows a management system exists; the batch certificate shows what is in this drum.
Does the poultry data show a feed conversion benefit?
It is mixed, which is why the studies should be read rather than summarised. In the 2023 broiler comparison the Quillaja saponaria group had higher average daily gain than the control, but the significant feed-to-gain improvement was in the Yucca schidigera group. EFSA could not conclude on efficacy for the additive it assessed.
What saponin concentration should a premix manufacturer buy?
It depends on how much carrier the premix can carry and on the inclusion level the local registration allows. Standard feed-grade powders are commonly offered at 10–30% saponin and concentrated grades at 60–80%. The more important decision is the assay method and the batch-to-batch variation behind the headline figure.
Source Quillaja Extract from Wellgreen — Verified Quality for Serious Feed Manufacturers
Wellgreen supplies feed-grade Quillaja Extract from Quillaja saponaria as a brownish-yellow standardized powder, with saponin concentrations from 10% to 98%, in standard feed-grade and concentrated grades. The product page lists FAMI-QS, ISO 22000, HALAL and KOSHER certification, OEM and ODM options covering custom concentrations and liquid formats, and samples for evaluation; every shipment carries a batch certificate covering saponin content, moisture, ash, heavy metals and microbiology.
If you are specifying a saponin source for a premix, a poultry or swine line, or an aquafeed application, send your target specification and the markets you sell into. We will confirm the grade that fits and the documentation behind it. Email wgt@allwellcn.com or request a quotation through the Quillaja Extract product page, and see the wider range of botanical feed ingredients on our product list.
Editorial note: this is technical and commercial information for feed-industry professionals, not veterinary advice, and it makes no claim about the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of any condition in animals. Inclusion levels, label claims and regulatory status must be confirmed for the target species and market.
References
1. EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), 2024. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Quillaja saponaria Molina and Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies (Magni-PHI®) for all poultry species and ornamental birds. EFSA Journal 22(7): e8849. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8849. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11240107/
2. EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), 2024. Follow-up of the re-evaluation of quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive and safety of the proposed extension of uses. EFSA Journal 22(2): e8563. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8563. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38322232/
3. A confirmation test for the presence of Quillaja saponin and adulteration with Madhuca saponin in poultry feed using high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Poultry Science, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2026.107177. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42241758/
4. Dai, Z., et al., 2023. Comparison of the effects of Yucca saponin, Yucca schidigera, and Quillaja saponaria on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capability, and intestinal flora in broilers. Animals 13(9): 1447. doi:10.3390/ani13091447. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37174484/
5. Dang, D.X., and Kim, I.H., 2021. Effects of Quillaja saponin supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 101(4). doi:10.1139/cjas-2020-0185. https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjas-2020-0185
6. Dang, D.X., and Kim, I.H., 2020. Effects of dietary supplementation of Quillaja saponin on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal gas emissions, and meat quality in finishing pigs. Journal of Applied Animal Research 48(1): 397–401. doi:10.1080/09712119.2020.1813739.
7. Kite, G.C., Howes, M.J., and Simmonds, M.S., 2004. Metabolomic analysis of saponins in crude extracts of Quillaja saponaria by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for product authentication. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 18(23): 2859–2870. doi:10.1002/rcm.1698. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15517552/
8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 172.510 — Natural flavoring substances and natural substances used in conjunction with flavors. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-172.510
9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/development-approval-process/veterinary-feed-directive-vfd
10. Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition. OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 29–43. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32003R1831