Kratom Testing Glossary

Complete guide to kratom terminology, testing methods, and alkaloid science

Alkaloids

7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)

A potent alkaloid found naturally in kratom leaves in trace amounts (typically <0.04% of total alkaloid content). It is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine and 60 times more potent than mitragynine. Many modern kratom products are enhanced with synthetic or extracted 7-OH.

Related terms:Mitragynine,Alkaloid,Extract

Mitragynine

The primary alkaloid in kratom leaves, comprising 60-66% of total alkaloid content (1-2% of leaf weight). It is responsible for most of kratom's effects and is the standard measurement for kratom potency.

Related terms:7-Hydroxymitragynine,Alkaloid Profile,Plain Leaf

Paynantheine

A minor alkaloid comprising 5-9% of kratom's total alkaloid content. Acts as a smooth muscle relaxer and may modulate the effects of other alkaloids.

Related terms:Speciogynine,Minor Alkaloids,Alkaloid Profile

Speciogynine

The third most abundant alkaloid in kratom, typically comprising 6-9% of total alkaloid content. Less potent than mitragynine but contributes to kratom's overall effects profile.

Related terms:Mitragynine,Alkaloid Profile,Minor Alkaloids

Chemistry

Alkaloid

Naturally occurring organic compounds containing nitrogen, typically with pharmacological effects. Kratom contains over 40 alkaloids, with mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine being the most studied.

Related terms:Mitragynine,7-Hydroxymitragynine,Alkaloid Profile

Documentation

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Official laboratory document detailing test results for a specific batch of product. COAs include alkaloid content, contamination testing, batch numbers, and testing methodologies.

Related terms:Lab Testing,Batch Number,Quality Control

Manufacturing

Extraction Methods

Techniques used to concentrate alkaloids from kratom leaf, including water extraction, alcohol extraction, CO2 extraction, and acid-base extraction. Each method has different efficiency rates and may leave different residual compounds.

Related terms:Extract,Residual Solvents,Concentration

Standardization

Process of adjusting alkaloid content to achieve consistent potency across batches. Standardized products guarantee minimum alkaloid percentages through blending or enhancement.

Related terms:Quality Control,Potency,Enhanced Leaf

Product Types

Concentration Ratio

The ratio indicating how much raw kratom material was used to create an extract (e.g., 10:1 means 10 grams of leaf produced 1 gram of extract). Higher ratios don't always mean higher potency due to extraction efficiency variations.

Related terms:Extract,Potency,Extraction Efficiency

Enhanced Leaf/Powder

Regular kratom leaf or powder that has been fortified with additional extracted alkaloids. Enhanced products combine plain leaf with concentrated extracts to increase potency beyond natural levels.

Related terms:Extract,Plain Leaf,Alkaloid Content

Extract

Concentrated kratom product where alkaloids have been extracted from leaf material using water, alcohol, or other solvents. Extracts are labeled with ratios (e.g., 10:1) or percentage concentrations (e.g., 45% mitragynine).

Related terms:Enhanced Leaf,Concentration Ratio,Extraction Methods

Plain Leaf

Unprocessed or minimally processed kratom leaf powder containing natural alkaloid levels (typically 1-2% mitragynine by weight). No extraction or enhancement has been performed.

Related terms:Enhanced Leaf,Mitragynine,Natural Alkaloid Content

Quality Assurance

Third-Party Testing

Independent laboratory analysis performed by organizations with no financial interest in the results. Third-party testing ensures unbiased verification of product claims and safety.

Related terms:Independent Testing,Certificate of Analysis,Lab Testing

Quality Control

Batch Number/Lot Number

Unique identifier assigned to products manufactured together under the same conditions. Batch numbers enable traceability and allow specific production runs to be tested and tracked.

Related terms:Certificate of Analysis,Quality Control,Traceability

Label Accuracy

How closely the actual alkaloid content matches the amount claimed on product packaging. Products with ±10% variance are considered accurately labeled. Greater variances indicate quality control issues.

Related terms:Potency,Grading System,Quality Control

Safety

Heavy Metals Testing

Analysis for toxic metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Kratom can absorb heavy metals from soil, making this testing important for consumer safety.

Related terms:Safety Testing,Contamination,Microbiological Testing

Microbiological Testing

Testing for harmful microorganisms including E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, and mold. Essential for ensuring product safety, especially for botanical products.

Related terms:Safety Testing,Contamination,Heavy Metals Testing

Pesticide Screening

Testing for agricultural chemicals used during cultivation. Important for imported kratom as different countries have varying pesticide regulations.

Related terms:Safety Testing,Contamination,Agricultural Practices

Residual Solvents

Chemical remnants from extraction or manufacturing processes, including ethanol, methanol, acetone, and other organic solvents. Products with detectable residual solvents automatically receive an F grade due to safety concerns.

Related terms:GC-MS,Extraction,Safety Testing

Standards

ISO/IEC 17025

International standard for testing and calibration laboratories. Labs with this accreditation meet rigorous quality standards for technical competence and reliable results. Both Cora Science and Anresco Labs maintain this certification.

Related terms:Lab Testing,Quality Assurance,Certification

Testing

Alkaloid Profile

The complete composition and relative concentrations of all alkaloids present in a kratom product. A full alkaloid profile includes major alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-OH) and minor alkaloids (speciogynine, paynantheine, etc.).

Related terms:HPLC,Lab Testing,Potency

Potency

The concentration of active alkaloids in a product, typically measured in milligrams per gram (mg/g) or as a percentage. Potency testing verifies whether actual alkaloid content matches label claims.

Related terms:Alkaloid Content,HPLC,Label Accuracy

Testing Methods

GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)

An analytical method used to detect and identify residual solvents and other volatile compounds in kratom products. GC-MS is highly sensitive and can detect contaminants at parts-per-million levels.

Related terms:Residual Solvents,HPLC,Lab Testing

HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)

The primary analytical method used to measure alkaloid content in kratom products. HPLC separates compounds in a sample and measures their concentrations with high precision, typically accurate to ±5%.

Related terms:GC-MS,Lab Testing,Alkaloid Profile
About This Glossary

This glossary is maintained by TestMyKratom to help consumers understand the technical terminology used in kratom testing and product descriptions. All definitions are based on scientific literature and industry standards.

Last updated: 1/16/2026

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