Black Seed Oil TQ Grades: Which Thymoquinone Level Do You Need?
Supplement, cosmetic, and food buyers increasingly specify a minimum TQ percentage before selecting a supplier. This guide compares the commercial grades, gives application-specific minimums, and shows how to verify a TQ claim on a COA.
The Three Commercial TQ Grades
Turkish cold-pressed black seed oil typically tests between 0.90% and 1.40% thymoquinone by GC-FID, with normal harvest-to-harvest variation; select lots from strong harvests test higher, up to 3%. Within that reality, three commercial grades are quoted:
| Grade | Typical TQ | Best Fit | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~1.0% | Cosmetics, soap, hair care, functional food, bulk resale | Regular production |
| High Grade | ~1.5% | Dietary supplements, softgel filling, premium retail oil | Selected lots, verified per batch |
| Select High-TQ | Up to 3% (batch-verified) | Standardized supplement claims, clinical-adjacent formulations | Subject to harvest — confirmed only with lot-specific GC-FID |
A representative high-TQ lot from our facility (Lot DE-247) tested at 1.934% TQ with linoleic acid at 55.521% — full fatty-acid profile on the quality page. Grade claims are never quoted without a batch-linked COA.
Minimum TQ by Application
| Application | Typical Minimum TQ | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary supplements (capsules, softgels, liquid) | ≥ 1.00% | High Grade |
| Functional food & beverage | ≥ 0.80% | Standard or High |
| Bulk resale / repackaging | ≥ 0.70% | Standard |
| Cosmetics (skin, hair, soap) | ≥ 0.50% | Standard |
These thresholds reflect common B2B purchasing specifications, not regulatory limits. EU cosmetic buyers should also review INCI and cosmetic documentation; supplement buyers should see the full TQ levels buyer guide.
How to Verify a TQ Claim Before You Buy
- Method stated: the COA must specify GC-FID (gas chromatography with flame ionization detection) and the reference standard used.
- Accredited lab: confirm the issuing laboratory holds ISO 17025 accreditation. Our lots are tested by an independent accredited Turkish laboratory.
- Lot-linked: the COA batch number must match the lot you will receive — not a generic "representative" document.
- Fresh analysis: analysis dated within 12 months of shipment.
- Ask for the chromatogram: a supplier who can produce the raw chromatogram on request is testing for real.
- Red flags: round-number TQ claims with no method, FTIR-only analysis presented as TQ quantification, or very high TQ percentages quoted without lot-specific verification.
Background reading: what TQ means in procurement and how our COA and lab testing works.
Request a Quote for Your Grade
Tell us your application and minimum TQ specification — we respond within 24 business hours with available lots, batch COA data, and factory-direct pricing.