Alfalfa powder customization: Fineness determines value.
The value of alfalfa powder lies not in the "raw material itself," but in the "precisely customized fineness" and its deep alignment with the specific needs of the application scenario.
Release time：
2026-01-16
Source：
Thanks to its core advantages of "high fiber, rich minerals, and strong biological activity," alfalfa powder is widely used in four major fields: animal feed, food, health supplements, and cosmetics.However, most customers, when customizing alfalfa powder, often fall into the trap of "only focusing on nutritional indicators and neglecting fineness customization"—in reality, fineness not only determines the product's texture and form, but also directly affects the dissolution rate of nutrients, application suitability, and market premium potential.
一、The fineness of alfalfa powder is not a "texture issue," but rather a value proposition.
The fineness of alfalfa powder, essentially determined by the particle size of the raw material, directly impacts the product's core value by influencing "specific surface area, cell wall rupture rate, and component dissolution efficiency." Alfalfa powder of different fineness levels exhibits distinct value stratification, from nutrient release to application scenarios, which is far more than just a difference in processing precision.
1. Industry-standard fineness classifications and value positioning
Alfalfa powder can be classified into four main grades based on its fineness, each corresponding to different value propositions and premium pricing opportunities:
Fineness grade | Mesh size specifications (corresponding particle size) | Core Value Proposition | Nutrient leaching characteristics | Target areas | Market premium rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic level | 80 mesh (≤0.18mm) | Low-cost filling materials to meet basic fiber requirements. | The cell wall rupture rate is ≤30%, the protein dissolution rate is approximately 27%, and the crude fiber is difficult to degrade. | Livestock and poultry feed, soil conditioners | Benchmark price (0% premium) |
Food grade | 120-150 mesh (0.10-0.125mm) | Balanced in taste and nutrition, suitable for use as an additive in solid foods. | Cell wall rupture rate: 50%-60%, protein dissolution rate: 30%+, swelling capacity: 4.40 mL/g (peak value) | Baked goods, solid meal replacements, pet food | A premium of 20%-30% |
Health supplement grade | 200-300 mesh (0.05-0.063mm) | High-activity ingredient release, suitable for functional products. | Cell wall rupture rate ≥80%, polyphenol and total flavonoid extraction increased by 12%-20%, and cholesterol adsorption capacity increased by over 60%. | Capsules, tablets, liquid supplements, functional beverages | A premium of 50%-80% |
High-end custom-made | More than 500 mesh (≤0.025mm) | Exceptional skin feel/dissolution, suitable for high-end applications. | Cell wall rupture rate ≥95%, water-soluble dietary fiber increased by 60%, and β-glucan increased by 55%. | Beauty serums, baby food, and high-end oral supplements | Premium of 100%+ |
2. The three core logical principles that determine the value of alfalfa powder based on its fineness.
- Nutrient release efficiency: The finer the particle size, the higher the utilization rate of active ingredients： Experimental data show that when the fineness of alfalfa upper leaves is reduced from 0.20-0.25 mm (80 mesh) to 0.063-0.08 mm (200 mesh), the protein dissolution rate increases from 27.98% to 32.87%, and the dissolution amounts of polyphenols and total flavonoids increase by 12.6% and 20.1%, respectively. Ultrafine grinding (above 500 mesh) can destroy the cell wall structure of alfalfa, converting some of the dietary fiber into soluble polysaccharides, increasing the human absorption rate from less than 30% to over 70%. Conversely, coarse powder, due to its intact fiber structure, makes it difficult for nutrients to be released, and can only be used as a basic filler material.
- Application scenario adaptation: The level of detail determines the product form and suitability： Feed-grade 80-mesh coarse powder can be used directly without requiring excessive fineness; however, liquid supplements require a fineness of 200 mesh or higher to ensure over 95% solubility and prevent sedimentation and separation. Cosmetic products, on the other hand, require ultra-fine powder of 500 mesh or higher to ensure a smooth application without a grainy feel and to enhance the penetration of active ingredients. If the fineness is mismatched with the application, it can negatively impact product experience at best, and at worst, lead to formula failure (e.g., coarse powder clumping in oral solutions and clogging production equipment).
- Balancing cost and premium: Fine-tuned customization is key to precise cost control： For every increase in fineness grade, processing costs (grinding energy consumption, time, and quality control) increase by approximately 15%-20%, but the corresponding market premium is far higher than the cost increase. For example, 200-mesh health supplement-grade alfalfa powder commands a premium of over 50% compared to 80-mesh feed-grade powder. Precisely matching the fineness during customization avoids cost waste caused by "over-processing" (such as using 500-mesh powder for animal feed) and also prevents value reduction due to "insufficient fineness."
The value of alfalfa powder lies not in the "raw material itself," but in the "precisely customized fineness" and its deep alignment with the specific needs of the application scenario.
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