DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Key Specifications
| CAS Number | 53-43-0 |
| Purity | ≥98.0% |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₉H₂₈O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 288.43 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol |
| Storage | Room temperature, protect from light |
| Shelf Life | 36 months |
CAS 53-43-0
What Is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, CAS 53-43-0) is an endogenous C19 steroid, chemically 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, with molecular formula C19H28O2 and molecular weight 288.43 g/mol. In the human body it is produced mainly by the adrenal cortex and serves as a key upstream precursor to androgens and estrogens. Structurally related steroidal precursors also occur naturally in certain plants, such as wild yam (Dioscorea species). Commercial bulk DHEA is typically manufactured semi-synthetically: plant-derived phytosterols (e.g., soybean sitosterol/stigmasterol) or diosgenin are converted through microbial side-chain cleavage and enzymatic biotransformation into steroidal intermediates, which are then finished through controlled chemical oxidation, purification and crystallization to yield high-purity DHEA.
Other Names
Key Features
High-Purity Assay
Each batch is manufactured and tested to meet ≥98.0% purity by HPLC, ensuring consistent potency for supplement and research formulations.
Controlled Biosynthetic Production
Produced via a semi-synthetic route from plant-derived sterols using microbial side-chain cleavage and enzymatic conversion, with tightly controlled intermediate steps for batch-to-batch consistency.
Uniform Crystalline Powder
Supplied as a white, free-flowing crystalline powder with controlled particle size, suitable for direct blending, encapsulation or further formulation.
Comprehensive Contaminant Testing
Every lot is screened for heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As), residual solvents and microbial limits, with full documentation available on request.
Flexible Bulk & OEM Supply
Available in flexible order quantities from sample size to bulk drums, with OEM/private-label packaging and customized specifications supported.
| Molecular Formula | C₁₉H₂₈O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 288.43 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol |
| Storage Condition | Room temperature, protect from light |
| Shelf Life | 36 months |
| Grade 1 | USP Grade · ≥98.0% · USP |
End-Product Applications
Mechanism & Benefits
Regulates endocrine function, boosts energy levels, improves mood and supports anti-aging.
Packaging Options
1 kg 5 kg 25 kg
Lead Time
5–7 business days
Minimum Order
1 kg
Custom Packaging
Custom packaging (foil bags, HDPE drums), GMP labeling, and export documentation are available. Contact us for specifics.Certifications
USP
US Pharmacopoeia
ISO
ISO
Manufacturing Process
Raw Material Sourcing
High-quality phytosterols (soybean-derived sitosterol/stigmasterol) or diosgenin from Dioscorea sources are selected and quality-checked as starting material.
Microbial Side-Chain Cleavage
Engineered microbial strains ferment the sterol substrate, selectively cleaving the aliphatic side chain to generate androstene-type steroidal intermediates.
Enzymatic Biotransformation
Biocatalytic steps refine the intermediate's stereochemistry and functional groups, establishing the 3β-hydroxy-Δ5 configuration characteristic of DHEA.
Chemical Oxidation & Rearrangement
Controlled protection/deprotection and oxidation steps introduce the 17-keto group, converting the intermediate into crude DHEA.
Extraction & Solvent Crystallization
Crude DHEA is extracted with food/pharma-grade organic solvent and crystallized to concentrate the target compound.
Purification & Recrystallization
Repeated recrystallization and activated-carbon decolorization remove residual solvents, related steroids and color bodies to raise purity above 98%.
Drying & Milling
The purified crystals are vacuum-dried and milled to achieve a uniform, free-flowing powder with controlled particle size.
Quality Control & Packaging
Finished material undergoes HPLC assay, heavy metal and microbial testing before being packed under protective conditions for shipment.
Quality Specifications
| Test Item | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Conforms, white crystalline powder |
| Odor & Taste | Odorless, characteristic | Conforms |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥98.0% | 98.6% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤0.5% | 0.31% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤0.1% | 0.06% |
| Melting Point | 148-154°C | 150.8°C |
| Particle Size | 100% through 80 mesh | 100% passes 80 mesh |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2 mg/kg | <1 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 mg/kg | <1 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1000 CFU/g | <100 CFU/g |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤100 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
| Pathogens (E. coli / Salmonella) | Negative/25g | Negative |
Purity & Assay Method
Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection, referenced against a qualified DHEA working standard, and is reported as area-percent on an as-is basis. Because related steroidal impurities can co-elute with DHEA under poorly optimized conditions, buyers should request the full chromatogram and Certificate of Analysis, and confirm the specific column, mobile phase and detection wavelength used, especially for pharmaceutical or high-purity research applications.
Solubility & Formulation
DHEA is slightly soluble in water but readily soluble in ethanol and most polar organic solvents, which should be factored into formulation design. For oral supplement applications, common approaches include micronization to reduce particle size and improve dissolution, suspension in oil-based softgel carriers, or complexation with cyclodextrins/emulsifying systems to enhance dispersibility. Formulators should conduct compatibility and stability testing specific to their finished dosage form (tablet, capsule, softgel, or liquid) before scale-up.
Available Product Forms
Bulk DHEA Powder
High-purity raw powder for supplement factories, research organizations, ingredient distributors, and contract manufacturers.
DHEA Capsules
Custom capsule strength, shell material, bottle count, excipients, and label design for private-label brands.
DHEA Tablets
Tablet formulation, granulation, compression, coating, bottle packaging, and custom labeling support.
DHEA Powder Blends
DHEA can be blended with complementary actives (antioxidants, other longevity ingredients, vitamins, minerals) per customer formula.
Can you confirm the exact purity and specification before I place an order?+
Yes. We provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with each shipment, and can share a pre-shipment CoA or sample results for your specific batch prior to order confirmation.
How is your DHEA produced, and what is the raw material source?+
Our DHEA is produced through a semi-synthetic route starting from plant-derived phytosterols/diosgenin, using microbial side-chain cleavage and enzymatic biotransformation followed by controlled chemical finishing and purification.
What is the solubility of DHEA, and does it need special handling for formulation?+
DHEA is slightly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol. For oral formulations, micronization or oil-carrier suspension is commonly used to improve dispersibility; our technical team can advise based on your finished dosage form.
Can I request a free sample before committing to a bulk order?+
Yes, small evaluation samples are available on request, generally subject to shipping costs, so you can verify quality before placing a bulk order.
Do you support independent third-party testing of your DHEA?+
Yes, we support customer-arranged third-party laboratory testing and can assist with sample submission and documentation needed for independent verification.
Do you offer OEM or private-label services for DHEA-based products?+
Yes, we support OEM and private-label supply, including custom packaging, labeling and formulation assistance for finished-goods brands and distributors.
What packaging options are available for bulk DHEA?+
Standard packaging includes double-layer food-grade polyethylene bags in fiber drums or cartons (typically 1 kg, 5 kg, or 25 kg), with custom packaging sizes available on request.
What is the MOQ, and how can I get a formal quotation?+
MOQ varies by order form (sample, trial batch, or full container), typically starting from 1 kg for trial orders; please contact our sales team with your target quantity and destination for a formal quotation.
Why Choose PathGene
- Direct China manufacturer supply — factory pricing, no middleman
- Batch-specific COA & full traceability on every shipment
- In-house R&D + synthetic biology / enzymatic production platform
- Free sample for qualified B2B buyers before commercial order
- Flexible MOQ — from lab-scale trial to ton-scale commercial supply
- One-stop OEM/private-label support for finished dosage forms
- Worldwide shipping by courier, air freight, and sea freight
OEM & Private-Label Services
- ·Custom capsule manufacturing
- ·Custom tablet manufacturing
- ·Powder blending & custom formulation
- ·Private-label bottles, pouches & labels
- ·Small trial orders
- ·Bulk commercial production
- ·Export documentation
- ·Third-party laboratory testing
Documents Available
- ·Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- ·Product specification sheet
- ·Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- ·Manufacturing flow chart
- ·HPLC test report
- ·Heavy-metal test report
- ·Microbiological test report
- ·Non-GMO / allergen statement
- ·Country-of-origin documentation
- ·Packing list & commercial invoice
Certificate availability should be confirmed with our sales team before ordering.
Sample Certificate of Analysis
PathGene Biotech Co., Ltd.
南京派琪生物科技有限公司
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
Layout example — not an issued batch record
Product Name
DHEA
CAS No.
53-43-0
Batch No.
PG-SAMPLE-000000
Packaging
Issued upon order confirmation
| Test Item | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Conforms, white crystalline powder |
| Odor & Taste | Odorless, characteristic | Conforms |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥98.0% | 98.6% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤0.5% | 0.31% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤0.1% | 0.06% |
| Melting Point | 148-154°C | 150.8°C |
| Particle Size | 100% through 80 mesh | 100% passes 80 mesh |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2 mg/kg | <1 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 mg/kg | <1 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1000 CFU/g | <100 CFU/g |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤100 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
| Pathogens (E. coli / Salmonella) | Negative/25g | Negative |
Conclusion: Conforms to internal quality specifications
The COA issued with your order will carry the actual batch number, manufacture/test dates, and QC signature.
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Interested in DHEA?
Our R&D team will respond to your inquiry or sample request within 24 hours.
