- →Highest fulvic acid: Tablets at 74.30% (Batch 93)
- →Best for convenience: Capsules at 73.11% — no measuring, no prep
- →Traditional format: Resin at 64.51% — dissolve in warm water
- →Heavy metals: Mercury ND across all three forms; same results across the batch
Black Lotus publishes COA data for every format from every batch, which makes a direct comparison possible in a way it is not for most shilajit brands. Batch 93 covers all three forms tested at IAS Laboratories in Phoenix, AZ using the Verploegh/Brandvold method — the same lab, the same method, the same batch window (May–June 2025). The only variable is the form itself.
The fulvic acid difference across formats — 64.51% for resin vs 74.30% for tablets — is meaningful and worth understanding before choosing. This post explains what the numbers represent, which format fits which use case, and what the heavy metals data shows. For the full ranked database, see our best shilajit brands ranked by lab data.
Batch 93 COA comparison: all three formats
IAS Laboratories, Phoenix AZ · Batch 93, May–June 2025 · Verploegh/Brandvold method for fulvic acid
| Format | Fulvic Acid | Lead (ppm) | Arsenic (ppm) | Mercury | Cadmium (ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Altai Resin | 64.51% | 1.17 | 0.16 | ND ✓ | 0.06 |
| Tablets | 74.30% | 1.17 | 0.16 | ND ✓ | 0.06 |
| Capsules (Extra Strength) | 73.11% | 1.17 | 0.16 | ND ✓ | 0.06 |
ND = Not Detected. All three forms share the same heavy metals results from Batch 93. Lead 1.17 ppm is below the FDA supplement limit of 2.5 ppm (daily serving basis). Arsenic 0.16 ppm and Cadmium 0.06 ppm are well within limit ranges. Mercury not detected is the strongest possible result for this metal.
Why the fulvic acid numbers differ across formats
The 10-point difference in fulvic acid between the resin (64.51%) and the tablets (74.30%) does not mean the resin is a weaker product. The numbers reflect the concentration of fulvic acid relative to total material tested in each format.
Resin shilajit contains the full spectrum of humic substances, including residual moisture, waxes, and other co-extracted compounds that dilute the fulvic acid percentage as measured. The powdered forms used in tablets and capsules undergo additional concentration steps that increase the fulvic acid percentage by weight.
Both forms come from the same Altai Mountain source material and the same batch. The heavy metals data — identical across all three forms — confirms this. The fulvic acid percentage reflects the concentration of the processed form, not a difference in source quality.
For practical purposes: if you prefer the traditional format and the full-spectrum resin experience, 64.51% from an IAS-verified batch is the highest-documented resin result in our database. If you want the highest measured fulvic acid per capsule, the tablets and capsules deliver more per gram of product.
Format by format: who each one suits
Pure Altai Resin — 64.51% FA
Best for
- Traditional format users
- Those who prefer no fillers or excipients
- Highest price-per-gram value in the lineup
- Users who dissolve in warm beverages
Not ideal for
- First-time users unfamiliar with resin texture
- Travel or on-the-go use
- Those who want pre-measured dosing
Dissolve a rice-grain-sized portion (~300–500mg) in warm (not hot) water, tea, or milk. Pea-size = ~500mg. Stir until fully dissolved. Avoid boiling water.
View Pure Altai Resin →Tablets — 74.30% FA (highest in lineup)
Best for
- Users who want the highest fulvic acid per dose
- Consistent, pre-measured dosing
- Stacking with other supplements
- Travel and portability
Not ideal for
- Those who prefer capsule shells over compressed tablets
- Users wanting the traditional resin ritual
74.30% fulvic acid — the highest measured result across all three formats in Batch 93. Same source material as the resin, concentrated into tablet form. Convenient swallow format.
View Tablets →Capsules (Extra Strength) — 73.11% FA
Best for
- First-time users — no preparation needed
- Those who prefer capsule format
- Easiest gifting format
- Travel and on-the-go use
Not ideal for
- Those wanting the highest FA per dose (tablets edge it out)
- Users who prefer the traditional resin format
73.11% fulvic acid — the second-highest result in the lineup, and the most accessible entry point for someone new to shilajit. No preparation, no measuring, no learning curve.
View Capsules →If you want a different format or brand
Black Lotus is the only brand in our database with all three forms tested from a single batch. If you are looking for something different — a different source, a liquid format, or Ayurvedic provenance — these are the other verified options.
Lotus Blooming Herbs — If you want Ayurvedic provenance
Himalayan source at 16,000–18,000ft. Ayurvedic practitioner-owned, among the first to bring pure resin shilajit to the Western market. Certified Laboratories Burbank (A2LA ISO 17025). Fulvic acid intentionally not disclosed.
View Lotus Blooming Herbs →Fractal Forest — If you want liquid drops
The only verified brand offering a liquid shilajit format. Himalayan Drops from Gilgit Baltistan: all four heavy metals not detected (A2LA ISO 17025, Certified Laboratories Burbank). Wild American Drops: North American source, 71.31% fulvic acid. Use code SHILAJIT-PRICE for 15% off.
View Fractal Forest →Natural Shilajit — If you want UNESCO Altai sourcing
Sourced from the UNESCO-protected Altai Mountains. Third-party COA with DBP verification. Fulvic acid not disclosed. Resin format only.
View Natural Shilajit →Pure Himalayan Shilajit — If you want UV-method COA data
About 58% fulvic acid by UV spectrophotometry (A2LA ISO 17025). Note: the published COA is from 2021 — request a current COA before purchasing. UV spectrophotometry is not directly comparable to IAS Labs Verploegh/Brandvold method results.
View Pure Himalayan Shilajit →For the complete brand comparison, see our full Black Lotus review with COA breakdown and the shilajit gift guide for form-based recommendations.
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Highest verified fulvic acid in our database · Full COA every batch · Mercury ND across all forms · Altai sourced · Free shipping
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Take our free 60-second quiz →64.51% fulvic acid (Batch 93, IAS Labs) · Third-party COA · Cold-processed · Free shipping — S-tier resin at $36.99.
- 64.51% fulvic acid — Batch 93 COA, IAS Laboratories Phoenix AZ
- 161mg fulvic acid per serving (June 2025 COA)
- Heavy metals (ICP-MS): Lead 1.17 ppm · Mercury ND · all within FDA limits
- Microbiology: Listeria ND · Salmonella Absent · E. coli ND
- Cold-process purification preserves bioactive compounds
- Free shipping on all orders
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Frequently asked questions
Which Black Lotus format has the highest fulvic acid?
Black Lotus Tablets tested at 74.30% fulvic acid in Batch 93 (IAS Laboratories, Phoenix AZ, Verploegh/Brandvold method), the highest of the three formats. Capsules tested at 73.11% and Resin at 64.51%. The difference likely reflects concentration and processing differences between the resin base and the powdered forms used in tablets and capsules, not a difference in source material — all three come from the same Altai Mountain source.
Are the heavy metals the same across all three Black Lotus forms?
Yes. All three Black Lotus formats (Resin, Tablets, Capsules) from Batch 93 show the same heavy metals results: Lead 1.17 ppm, Arsenic 0.16 ppm, Mercury not detected, Cadmium 0.06 ppm. Mercury not detected across all three forms is a notably strong result. All tested by IAS Laboratories, Phoenix AZ.
What is the best Black Lotus format for someone new to shilajit?
Capsules are the most practical format for a first-time user. They require no measuring, no dissolving, and no familiarity with the resin's appearance or texture. The Black Lotus Extra Strength Capsules tested at 73.11% fulvic acid (Batch 93) — the second-highest result in our database and a strong starting point. If you want to understand the traditional format first, the resin is the reference experience, but it has a preparation step.
What testing method does Black Lotus use?
Black Lotus uses IAS Laboratories in Phoenix, AZ, an independent third-party laboratory. Fulvic acid is measured by the Verploegh/Brandvold method, which is a specific analytical protocol for humic substances. This method is not directly comparable to UV spectrophotometry results from other labs — percentages from different methods cannot be read as equivalent numbers.
Not sure which shilajit fits your goals?
Take our 60-second quiz for a personalized recommendation based on real lab data — your goals, budget, and purity preferences matched to the best brand.
Adrian Voss is the founder of ShilajitPrice.com and a trained anthropologist with a focus on Cultural Anthropology and traditional medicine practices across the Carribbean, Central Asia and the Himalayas. He first encountered shilajit through his research studying traditional healing systems and Eastern Religion and has used it personally for over six years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, data-driven information in the Western supplement market, he built ShilajitPrice.com to bring the same rigorous standards of research he applies in academic work to consumer supplement buying — starting with verified lab data, honest sourcing claims, and real price transparency.