What is the Typical Percentage of Mitragynine Used in MIT Tablets?

The world of botanicals is in the midst of a profound transformation. Ancient plants, once used in their raw, traditional forms for centuries, are now being viewed through the precise lens of modern science and manufacturing. This shift has given rise to a new generation of products that prioritize consistency, convenience, and predictability. At the forefront of this evolution are MIT tablets, a product format that has captured the attention and curiosity of countless consumers. But this new format brings new questions, moving past the simple traditions of brewing a tea and into the realm of chemistry and percentages. Consumers are no longer just asking "what is this plant," but "what is in this product, and how much?" Understanding the precise composition of these tablets, particularly the percentage of their primary active compound, is the key to navigating this modern botanical landscape with confidence.

Kratom 101

Before a single tablet can be pressed, before any percentage can be calculated, there is a leaf. This leaf is the beginning, middle, and end of the entire story. It comes from Mitragyna speciosa, known almost universally as the Kratom tree. To comprehend the final, manufactured product, one must first develop a deep and thorough understanding of its natural source, which is rooted in the rich ecosystems and cultures of Southeast Asia.

Mitragyna speciosa is a magnificent tropical evergreen tree and a member of the Rubiaceae family. This botanical classification is significant, as it places Kratom in the same family as the Coffea plant (coffee) and the Gardenia flower. This family is renowned for its ability to produce complex and interesting nitrogen-containing compounds known as alkaloids, and Kratom is perhaps one of its most prolific examples. The tree itself is a towering figure in its native habitat, capable of reaching heights of over 80 feet, though it is often cultivated to remain at a more manageable size. It thrives in the hot, humid, and rain-drenched climates of nations like Indonesia (particularly the island of Borneo), Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The soil in these regions, often volcanic and perpetually fertile, acts as the perfect terroir—a concept borrowed from winemaking—that imprints a unique chemical signature on the leaves that grow there.

For countless generations, Kratom has been an integral part of the local cultures. Traditional use was straightforward and woven into the fabric of daily life. Laborers or farmers would often pluck a few fresh leaves directly from a tree and chew on them. This method provided a slow release of the leaf's compounds. Alternatively, fresh or dried leaves would be gathered, crushed, and brewed into a simple, profoundly bitter tea. This tea was often consumed in social settings or during long, arduous days of work. This long-standing cultural relationship, built on the use of the raw, unprocessed leaf, forms the baseline from which all modern, concentrated products are derived.

One of the most widely discussed—and most frequently misunderstood—aspects of Kratom is the concept of "strains", which’re delineated by the color of the veins in the leaf: red, green, and white. It is critically important to understand that these are not different species or distinct genetic varieties of the plant, as one might find with cannabis. All Kratom—red, green, and white—comes from the very same Mitragyna speciosa tree. The differences in their final color and, more importantly, their chemical profile are the result of two key factors: the maturity of the leaf at the time of harvest and, most significantly, the specific post-harvest drying and curing process:

• Red Vein: This product is typically created from the most mature leaves on the tree. These leaves have enjoyed the longest exposure to sunlight and have a fully developed alkaloid profile. After harvesting, the "red" process begins. This process is defined by oxidation and fermentation. The leaves might be packed tightly into bags and left in a dark, humid environment for a set number of days, allowing them to "ferment" much like tea leaves. Following this, they are often dried in direct, intense sunlight. This combination of fermentation and UV light exposure fundamentally alters the alkaloid balance, oxidizing some of the primary compounds into their counterparts. This meticulous process is what yields the final product's characteristic properties, which are highly sought after for evening use and profound relaxation.
• Green Vein: This is generally considered the "middle ground." The leaves are harvested at a mid-point in their maturity, after they have lost their youthful "white" sheen but before they have reached full maturity. The drying process is the key differentiator. To preserve the natural green color and prevent the oxidation that defines red veins, the leaves are typically brought indoors immediately after harvesting. They are dried in climate-controlled rooms, often in the dark or in very low light, on large racks. This careful preservation of the leaf's natural state results in a profile that users often describe as balanced and moderate, sitting squarely between the qualities of white and red.
• White Vein: This can be one of two things, or a combination of both. It is sometimes made from the youngest, newest leaves on the tree, which naturally have a different alkaloid balance. More commonly, the "white" comes from a highly specific drying technique. After harvesting, the leaves (sometimes with the stems still intact, which have their own unique alkaloid profile) are moved to a completely dark, indoor, climate-controlled room. By eliminating all light, farmers prevent key chemical conversions from taking place, preserving a different spectrum of the plant's compounds. White vein Kratom is typically associated with an uplifting, stimulating aroma, making it a popular choice for morning rituals.
• Yellow or Gold Vein: These are not natural vein colors. A yellow or gold product is always a result of a proprietary drying or fermentation process. For example, a farmer might take green vein leaves and subject them to a unique, shorter fermentation process than what is used for red vein. In other cases, a "gold" product may simply be a blend of two other vein types, such as red and white, created by the vendor to achieve a specific, desired profile.

Once the leaves have been harvested and have undergone their specific drying and curing process, they are rendered brittle and dry. The next and final step in this traditional phase is grinding. The dried leaves are fed into industrial milling machines, which pulverize them into a fine powder. The consistency of this powder can range from a coarse, tea-like grind to an ultra-fine "nano" grind that has the texture of flour. This final powder is the base material for the vast majority of Kratom products sold today. It can be packaged and sold as-is, packed into gelatin or vegan capsules, or, most relevant to our topic, sent to an advanced extraction facility to become the raw ingredient for MIT tablets.

This journey from a traditional leaf to a modern, refined product is not without its complexities. In the United States, Kratom is not federally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This has created a vacuum of oversight, leading to a confusing and often contradictory patchwork of laws that vary from state to state, county to county, and even city to city. Some states have banned Kratom entirely. In other states, it is legal and largely unregulated, creating a "buyer beware" market.

A third, more recent path has emerged: regulation. Advocacy groups, most notably the American Kratom Association (AKA), have championed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). This is a piece of legislation drafted to be passed at the state level. It seeks to regulate the industry, not ban it. The KCPA typically includes provisions that mandate clear and accurate labeling, bar sales to minors, and require vendors to register with the state and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Most importantly, it often sets standards for purity, requiring products to be tested for and free of dangerous contaminants, and sometimes even places limits on the concentration of certain alkaloids. This evolving legal landscape underscores the importance for consumers to be deeply informed, a quest that begins with understanding the plant's primary chemical component.

A Deeper Look at Mitragynine

The Mitragyna speciosa leaf is a veritable chemical factory. Like any plant, it contains chlorophyll, fiber, and water. But its most fascinating properties come from a special class of compounds known as alkaloids. These are naturally occurring, nitrogen-containing organic compounds that plants produce, often as a defense mechanism. They are frequently bitter-tasting to deter insects and herbivores, and they can possess a wide range of properties. Humanity has a long and storied relationship with plant alkaloids; some of the most well-known substances in the world are alkaloids, including caffeine from the coffee bean, theobromine from the cacao bean, and nicotine from the tobacco plant.

Within the humble Kratom leaf, scientists have identified over 40 distinct alkaloids. This entire collection of compounds, working in concert, is what produces the leaf's total effect. This concept, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, is often referred to as an "entourage effect." However, among these dozens of compounds, two stand out as the primary actors and are the focus of virtually all scientific research: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (often shortened to 7-OH).

Mitragynine is, without question, the star of the show. It is, by a very wide margin, the most abundant alkaloid in the Mitragyna speciosa leaf. In a typical batch of raw, dried Kratom powder, Mitragynine can account for anywhere from 0.5% to 1.5% of the total leaf mass by weight. A powder testing at 2.0% Mitragynine would be considered exceptionally potent. This relatively low concentration in the raw leaf is the primary driver behind the development of extracts. To get a significant amount of Mitragynine, one would have to consume several grams of raw plant fiber, which can be unpleasant, difficult to digest, and extremely inconvenient.

Chemically, Mitragynine (with the formula $C_{23}H_{30}N_2O_4$) is a complex indole alkaloid. Its intricate molecular structure is precisely what allows it to interact with the human body in such a unique way. When a person consumes Kratom, the Mitragynine travels through the bloodstream and interacts with various receptor systems in the brain and throughout the body.

The most significant of these interactions is with the body's opioid receptors. This is a point that requires careful, precise, and factual explanation. Mitragynine is known as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor. This distinction is the single most important concept in understanding its pharmacology. Let's use an analogy: a full agonist is like a master key. It fits perfectly into the receptor (the "lock") and turns it completely, activating that receptor to 100% of its capacity, producing a powerful, maximal response. A partial agonist, like Mitragynine, is like a specialized key that also fits the lock, but it is shaped in a way that it can only turn the lock halfway. It activates the receptor, but it simply cannot produce the full, maximal activation that a full agonist can, no matter how high the serving. This built-in "ceiling effect" is a critical and defining feature of its chemical nature.

But Mitragynine's story does not end there. It is not a "one-trick pony." This is what makes it so different from many other substances. In addition to its partial action on mu-opioid receptors, it is known to interact with a host of other systems. It also interacts with adrenergic receptors (related to adrenaline, which plays a role in alertness and stimulation), dopaminergic receptors (related to dopamine, which is involved in reward and motivation), and serotonergic receptors (related to serotonin, which influences mood and well-being).

This "multi-target" profile is the scientific basis for the wide spectrum of user-reported effects, which famously vary depending on the serving size. At lower servings, the effects on adrenergic and serotonergic systems are more prominent, leading to reports of increased energy, sociability, and an uplifting, stimulating feeling. At higher servings, the partial agonism of the mu-opioid receptors becomes the dominant sensation, leading to reports of profound relaxation, a "chilled out" feeling, physical comfort, and a sense of blissful euphoria.

The second-most-famous alkaloid is 7-hydroxymitragynine. This compound is a close chemical cousin to Mitragynine, but it is vastly more potent in its action. In the fresh, living Kratom leaf, 7-OH is present in almost undetectable, trace amounts. However, 7-OH can be created from Mitragynine through the process of oxidation. This happens naturally during the drying and curing process (especially for red veins, which are heavily oxidized) and also within the human body, as the liver metabolizes Mitragynine, converting a small portion of it into 7-OH.

This relationship between Mitragynine and 7-OH is at the center of the modern Kratom industry. Because 7-OH is so potent, some extract producers have, in the past, used chemical processes to intentionally convert a significant amount of the Mitragynine in their extract into 7-hydroxymitragynine. This creates a product that is unnaturally strong and has a very different character than the traditional leaf. This practice is widely controversial and is being actively discouraged by regulatory efforts like the KCPA, which often seeks to limit the amount of 7-OH in any given product to a tiny fraction (e.g., less than 2%) of the total alkaloid content, thereby ensuring the product more closely mirrors the natural profile of the plant.

When we talk about "MIT tablets," the "MIT" is a direct reference to Mitragynine. These products are not "Kratom tablets" in the sense that they are pressed raw powder. They are extract tablets. Their entire purpose is to isolate, concentrate, and deliver a precise, measured, and significant quantity of Mitragynine. This move from a variable, agricultural product (raw powder) to a standardized, measurable chemical product (a tablet with X milligrams of Mitragynine) is the defining leap of the modern Kratom industry.

What are MIT Tablets Anyways?

MIT tablets represent the logical endpoint of the quest for a convenient, potent, and precise Kratom experience. They are a marvel of modern manufacturing, designed to isolate the active compounds from the raw plant and deliver them in a clean, tasteless, and perfectly dosed format. But the simplicity of the final product—a small, easy-to-swallow tablet—belies the incredibly complex, multi-step industrial process required to create it.

The Manufacturing Journey: From Leaf to Tablet

This journey begins where the farmer's ends. Bales of dried, powdered Kratom leaves are shipped from Southeast Asia to specialized extraction laboratories.

Step 1: Extraction - Pulling the Alkaloids

The entire goal of this first step is to "pull" the desirable alkaloids (primarily Mitragynine) out of the raw plant matter, leaving the fiber, chlorophyll, waxes, and other inert materials behind. This is done using a solvent:

• Solvent Choice: Manufacturers have several options. A common method is an ethanol extraction. Food-grade alcohol (ethanol) is a very effective solvent for alkaloids. The Kratom powder is steeped in ethanol, which strips the alkaloids from the plant fiber. Another method is a hot water/acid-base extraction, which scales up the idea of a tea. The powder is simmered in water, and a food-safe acid (like citric acid) is added to make the alkaloids more soluble. The most high-tech method is supercritical CO2 extraction, which uses carbon dioxide under immense pressure until it becomes a "supercritical fluid" that acts as a powerful and clean solvent. The advantage of CO2 is that it evaporates completely, leaving zero residual solvent.
• Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate: The type of extraction also determines the profile of the extract. An ethanol or water extraction often results in a "full-spectrum" extract (FSE). This means it pulls out not just Mitragynine, but also a wide array of the other 40+ minor alkaloids (like paynantheine, speciogynine, etc.). The theory is that these minor alkaloids work together in an "entourage effect," creating a more balanced, well-rounded experience. Conversely, more aggressive refinement processes can be used to create a Mitragynine isolate, which strips away everything else, resulting in a product that is 99%+ pure Mitragynine.

Step 2: Concentration and Standardization

After extraction, the manufacturer is left with a large volume of liquid (the solvent) that now contains the dissolved alkaloids. This liquid is then placed into a vacuum evaporator. By performing the evaporation under a vacuum (low pressure), the boiling point of the solvent is significantly lowered. This allows the water or alcohol to be boiled off at a much lower temperature, which is crucial for preserving the delicate structure of the alkaloids, which could be damaged by high heat.

As the solvent evaporates, what's left behind is a thick, dark, and sticky substance that resembles tar or molasses. This is the crude Kratom extract, or resin.

This crude extract is then sent for standardization. A sample is taken to an in-house or third-party laboratory and run through a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine. This device separates all the chemical components and measures the precise quantity of each one. The lab report, or Certificate of Analysis (CoA), will state the exact percentage of Mitragynine in the extract. This is the first, and most critical, answer to our article's question. The manufacturer now knows, for example, that their batch of resin has been standardized to be "45% Mitragynine" by weight. This extract is now a known, quantifiable, and standardized raw ingredient.

Step 3: Compounding - Making the Tablet Mixture

The standardized extract resin is potent, but it's a sticky, unworkable goo. It cannot be pressed into a tablet on its own. It must be mixed with a series of food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade inactive ingredients called excipients:

• Fillers / Binders: The amount of pure extract needed for one tablet is tiny. To create a tablet large enough to handle, a filler or bulking agent is added. The most common is microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a refined powder made from plant fiber. This filler also acts as a binder, helping the tablet "glue" itself together under pressure.
• Flow Agents: The extract-plus-filler powder mixture needs to flow smoothly and evenly through the complex machinery of the tablet press. Flow agents (or glidants) like silicon dioxide are added to prevent the particles from clumping.
• Lubricants: To prevent the powder from sticking to the steel punches of the press, a lubricant like magnesium stearate (a salt derived from a fatty acid) is added.
• Disintegrants: A tablet is useless if it passes through the body undigested. Disintegrants are special ingredients (like croscarmellose sodium) that are "hydrophilic"—they attract water. When the tablet hits the stomach, the disintegrant rapidly absorbs moisture and swells, causing the tablet to burst apart from the inside out, releasing the active ingredients.

The standardized extract is painstakingly blended with these excipients in a large industrial mixer until a completely uniform, homogenous powder is achieved.

Step 4: Tableting and Packaging

The final, compounded powder is fed into the hopper of a rotary tablet press. This machine features a spinning turret with a series of dies (molds that define the tablet's shape). The powder flows into a die, and then two steel punches (one from above, one from below) come together, compressing the powder with many tons of force. This immense pressure fuses the particles, instantaneously forming a hard, solid, and perfectly uniform tablet. This process can be repeated thousands of times per minute.

After being pressed, the tablets may be packaged in two primary ways:

• Bottles: This is common for bulk counts (e.g., 30 or 60 tablets). They are typically sealed for freshness and feature child-resistant caps.
• Blister Packs: This is a more advanced form of packaging where each tablet (or a pair of tablets) is sealed in its own individual, air-tight "blister." This is superior for preserving freshness, as it protects the tablets from air and humidity until the moment of use. It also helps users track their servings.

Different Types and Sizes of Tablets

Not all tablets are created equal. They come in different forms and sizes, largely dictated by their intended use and the potency of the extract used to make them:

• Pressed Tablets: This is the most common form, created as described above. They are hard, solid, and designed to be swallowed with water. A key feature to look for is a "score," a line impressed down the middle. This is a critical design choice, as it allows the user to easily and accurately break the tablet in half, providing a simple way to take a smaller, half-serving.
• Chewable Tablets: These are less common and are formulated differently. They contain the same MIT extract but are made with different binders (like sorbitol) and include significant amounts of flavoring and sweeteners to mask the intense bitterness of the extract.
• Sublingual/Buccal Tablets: These rare formats are designed not to be swallowed. They are placed under the tongue (sublingual) or between the gum and cheek (buccal) and allowed to dissolve, allowing for direct absorption into the bloodstream.
• Typical Tablet Sizes: The physical size of the tablet (often measured in milligrams of total weight) is not the same as its strength. A tablet might weigh 750mg in total, but this weight is mostly the binders and fillers. The active part (the extract) might only be 100-200mg of that total. The shape is also important; many are made in an oval "caplet" shape, which is often easier for people to swallow than a large, round disc.

Strengths and Effects

The strength of a tablet is its most important metric. This is not a percentage, but a final, concrete number: the total milligrams (mg) of Mitragynine contained in a single tablet.

A typical Kratom tablet label might read:

"100mg MIT Tablet"

"Contains 100mg of Mitragynine"

"Ingredients: 220mg of 45% Mitragyna speciosa Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose..."

This is where the percentage comes into play. To create this 100mg tablet, the manufacturer used 220mg of their standardized extract, which they knew was 45% Mitragynine (220 * 0.45 = 99mg, rounded to 100mg for the label). The rest of the tablet's weight is the other 55% of the extract (minor alkaloids, plant waxes) plus all the binders and fillers.

Because a tablet is a solid, compressed object, its effects have a different timeline than other formats:

• Onset: A tablet is generally slower to take effect than a liquid extract shot. The tablet must first be broken down by the stomach (a process called disintegration). This can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, with the full onset of effects often reported after 60-90 minutes.
• Duration: This slower, more gradual release is often reported to lead to a longer duration of effects. Instead of a rapid "peak" and "fall" like a liquid, the tablet can provide a smoother, more stable, and more "drawn-out" experience, which many users find preferable for a long-lasting feeling of relaxation or euphoria.

Why the Percentage of Mitragynine is Crucial for Tablets

Now folks, we arrive at the central question. When inquiring about the "percentage of Mitragynine", we’re actually asking two different questions, and understanding the difference is the key to becoming an informed consumer:

1. Percentage 1: The Extract Potency (The Manufacturer's Number)
2. Percentage 2: The Final Tablet Composition (The Consumer's Number)

The first question is the one manufacturers deal with. This is the concentration of Mitragynine in the raw extract ingredient. This is the percentage we discussed in the standardization step. This number is vitally important because it dictates everything about the final product, from its size to its character.

Let's walk through the exact math. Imagine a manufacturer wants to create a tablet with a final, target dose of 50mg of Mitragynine. They have two different extract batches they can use:

• Option A: A 20% Mitragynine Extract. This is a "low-grade" extract. To get 50mg of pure Mitragynine, they would need 250mg of this extract (because 250mg * 0.20 = 50mg).
• Option B: A 50% Mitragynine Extract. This is a "high-grade" extract. To get 50mg of pure Mitragynine, they would need only 100mg of this extract (because 100mg * 0.50 = 50mg).

This simple calculation has massive real-world implications.

Impact on Tablet Size and "Pill Burden"

The most immediate and obvious impact is on the physical size of the final tablet. Let's assume that, to make a tablet press correctly, the manufacturer needs a minimum of 400mg of binders and fillers.

• Tablet from Option A: 250mg (of 20% extract) + 400mg (binders) = a 650mg tablet.
• Tablet from Option B: 100mg (of 50% extract) + 400mg (binders) = a 500mg tablet.

Both tablets deliver the exact same 50mg dose of Mitragynine, but the one made with the higher-percentage extract is significantly smaller, sleeker, and easier to swallow. This directly reduces the "pill burden" for the consumer. If the goal was a 100mg tablet, the difference would be even more dramatic. Using the 20% extract would require 500mg of extract, leading to a massive, hard-to-swallow 900mg tablet. Using the 50% extract would require only 200mg, resulting in a much more manageable 600mg tablet.

Therefore, manufacturers prefer to use higher-percentage extracts because it allows them to create potent products that are still small and consumer-friendly.

Impact on Purity and Alkaloid Profile

This is the more subtle, and arguably more important, implication. What is the other stuff in the extract? Well…

• In a 20% Mitragynine extract, the remaining 80% is not just "filler." It is a vast collection of the other minor alkaloids, plant waxes, oils, and compounds that were pulled from the leaf during the extraction. This is a very "full-spectrum" or "crude" extract.
• In a 50% Mitragynine extract, the remaining 50% also contains these minor alkaloids, but in a lower proportion relative to the Mitragynine.
• In a 90%+ Mitragynine extract, the remaining 10% is almost nothing. This product is a near-isolate. It has been so heavily refined that almost all other plant compounds, including the minor alkaloids, have been stripped away and discarded.

The percentage of the extract, therefore, tells you about its character. A tablet made from a lower-percentage (e.g., 40-50%) extract is almost always a "full-spectrum" tablet. A tablet made from a 90%+ extract is an "isolate" tablet. These will provide very different experiences. Many users report that the full-spectrum tablets offer a more "well-rounded," "balanced," and "natural-feeling" experience (attributing this to the "entourage effect"), while the isolate tablets provide a very "clean," "sharp," and "one-dimensional" experience that is purely the effect of Mitragynine and nothing else.

So, What’s the "Typical" Percentage Used?

Now we can finally answer the titular question.

The "sweet spot" for most high-quality, reputable MIT tablet manufacturers is an extract standardized to between 40% and 50% Mitragynine.

This range is considered "typical" for a few key reasons:

1. Potency: It is potent enough (requiring only 100-125mg of extract for a 50mg tablet) to create a product that is small and easy to swallow.
2. Full-Spectrum: It is not so potent that it becomes an isolate. A 45% extract still contains a significant 55% of other plant compounds, allowing manufacturers to market it as a "full-spectrum" product that honors the plant's natural profile.
3. Stability & Cost: Refining an extract to 99% is vastly more expensive and difficult than refining it to 45%. This 40-50% range represents the best balance of potency, profile, and manufacturing cost-effectiveness.

Extracts in the 20-30% range are still used, but they are more common in liquid "shot" products where the total volume is less of a concern than in a small, pressed tablet. Extracts in the 70-99% range also exist, but they are marketed to a niche audience that is specifically seeking a Mitragynine isolate. For the majority of tablets on the market, the raw ingredient is a 40-50% Mitragynine extract.

What Else to Know About Mitragynine % in MIT Tablets

Understanding the manufacturer's percentage (the 45% extract) is only half the battle. As a consumer, your focus should be on the practical information that affects your experience. This involves learning to read the final product's information and understanding the other percentages that matter.

Percentage vs. Milligrams: The Only Number You Need

While the extract percentage is fascinating, it is ultimately background information. The single most important number for a consumer to know is the final, total milligrams (mg) of Mitragynine per tablet.

This number is the actual dose. It is the non-negotiable metric of strength. A 50mg MIT tablet is a 50mg MIT tablet, regardless of the percentage of the extract used to make it. This is what you should look for on the front of the bottle or the back of the ingredients panel.

Do not be confused by a label that says "500mg Kratom Extract Tablet." This is a common but misleading marketing tactic. That 500mg is likely the total weight of the extract, not the Mitragynine. If it's a 20% extract (which they often don't tell you), that "500mg" tablet actually only contains 100mg of Mitragynine.

A transparent, high-quality brand will state the active ingredient clearly: "100mg Mitragynine per tablet." This is the number that allows for a safe, consistent, and predictable experience.

How to Read a Lab Report (CoA)

Reputable vendors will provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for their products, often via a QR code on the bottle. This is where you can verify all the percentages for yourself. When you look at a CoA for a tablet, you will see the potency reported in two ways:

1. Milligrams per Tablet (mg/tablet): This is the most important number. You might see "Mitragynine: 51.4mg/tablet." This confirms that the "50mg" tablet you bought is accurately labeled.
2. Percentage by Weight (% w/w): This is the other percentage (Percentage 2 from our earlier section). You might see "Mitragynine: 6.85%." This does not mean it's a 6.85% extract. This means that in the final, total tablet (which weighs, say, 750mg), the Mitragynine itself (the 51.4mg) accounts for 6.85% of its total weight. The other 93.15% is the binders, fillers, and minor alkaloids. This number is interesting for chemists, but the "mg/tablet" number is the one that matters to you.

The "Other" Percentage: 7-hydroxymitragynine

When you read that CoA, there is another percentage that is arguably just as crucial as the Mitragynine content: the 7-hydroxymitragynine percentage.

As discussed, 7-OH is a minor alkaloid that is vastly more potent than Mitragynine. In the natural leaf, it is present in only trace amounts. A responsible extract tablet should reflect this natural profile. The regulatory standard championed by the American Kratom Association (AKA) suggests that the 7-OH content should not exceed 2% of the total alkaloid content.

On a lab report, you should look for the 7-OH percentage to be extremely low. You want to see "Not Detected (ND)" or a tiny number like "0.03%". This confirms two things:

1. The manufacturer used fresh, high-quality leaves that were not improperly oxidized.
2. The manufacturer did not chemically alter the extract to artificially spike its potency.

A high 7-OH percentage is a major red flag. This is a critical piece of the "percentage" puzzle, as it is a direct indicator of product quality and adherence to responsible manufacturing practices.

Why a "Higher Percentage" Isn't Always "Better"

It is a natural consumer impulse to think "bigger is better." A 99% extract must be better than a 45% extract. But in the world of Kratom, this is not necessarily true. This is the heart of the "Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate" debate.

Lots of experienced users will report that they actively dislike tablets made from high-percentage isolates. They might describe the experience as "too sharp," "jittery," "one-dimensional," or "lacking depth." They often find that the experience, while potent, is missing the "warmth" or "chilled out" feeling they associate with the plant.

These same users will often state a strong preference for tablets made from a 40-50% full-spectrum extract. They report that this experience is "smoother," "more balanced," and "well-rounded," providing a more holistic sense of relaxation and bliss. They attribute this to the "entourage effect," where the minor alkaloids, even in small amounts, work in synergy with the Mitragynine to shape and moderate the total effect, creating an experience that is closer to the traditional, natural leaf.

Ultimately, this is a matter of personal preference. But it is crucial to understand that "highest percentage" does not automatically mean "best product."

A Final Look Beyond the Mitragynine % Numbers

In the end, the journey from a broad, green leaf in a tropical jungle to a small, white tablet in a bottle is a story of chemistry, precision, and purpose. The "typical percentage" of Mitragynine used in an extract—that 40% to 50% sweet spot—is a crucial number for the manufacturer. It is their tool, their recipe, allowing them to balance a full-spectrum profile with the consumer's demand for a small, convenient, and potent product. But for the consumer, this percentage is merely a part of the origin story. The true mark of quality is not found in this single number, but in the company's commitment to transparency. It is found in the final, verifiable milligram dose per tablet, the vanishingly small percentage of 7-OH, and the clear, honest labeling that empowers you to make an informed choice. The percentage is just a number; the full picture is the quality, safety, and transparency that surround it.