Walking at the forefront, forging new developments! On January 12th, the People’s Government of Shandong Province announced the list of major projects for the year 2024, and the Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Shanghe Project has forcefully made it onto the list. This year is crucial for comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, tackling key tasks in the implementation of the “14th Five-Year Plan,” and accelerating the construction of a strong, new, high-quality, beautiful, and modern socialist province in the new era. Hongjitang Pharmaceutical, as a century-old traditional Chinese medicine enterprise rooted in Qilu and expanding its presence nationwide, exemplifies the commitment and responsibility of time-honored enterprises.
Since its establishment in 1907, Hongjitang Pharmaceutical has been a witness, inheritor, and promoter of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, carrying the historical mission of optimizing, strengthening, and enlarging the TCM industry. As early as 1915, Hongjitang Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatine) won the first gold medal at the Panama International Exposition, becoming the first national brand to enter the international market. Today, Hongjitang Pharmaceutical has obtained 151 approvals and 10 exclusive product specifications, with its product line covering various areas such as Chinese patent medicines, traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, and API raw materials.
From establishing standards for authentic medicinal herbs to building standardized cultivation bases, from discerning traditional experiences to integrating advanced instrument analysis, from single-item inspections to a comprehensive quality traceability system throughout the entire process, from traditional extensive processing to advanced automated production lines, and further to the application of smart technologies and intelligent manufacturing… Hongjitang Pharmaceutical continues its high-quality development, aiming to create a comprehensive “Smart National Medicine” complex that integrates intelligent production, drug research and development, business models, brand empowerment, and cultural health.
The Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Shanghe Project takes the “Research and Industrialization of Artificial Musk,” which won the first prize in the National Science and Technology Progress Award, as the driving force for corporate development. It aims to shape an innovative regional lighthouse-type intelligent factory, setting a new benchmark. Musk, listed as a superior item in the “Shennong Ben Cao Jing,” faced increasing scarcity due to the unregulated hunting of musk deer over the years. After the government classified musk as a first-level key protected wild animal, musk became even scarcer, making it challenging to formulate many valuable Chinese patent medicines.
In the 1970s, the country identified the research on substituting natural musk as a crucial focus and successfully achieved it. The “Research and Industrialization of Artificial Muskhttps project, in which Hongjitang Pharmaceutical participated, received the first prize in the National Science and Technology Progress Award in 2015. The successful development of artificial musk and l-muscone allowed the continuation of numerous classic Chinese medicine formulas. Artificial musk was approved as a Class I new drug, filling the domestic gap and pioneering the artificial substitution of rare and precious wild Chinese medicinal materials. This breakthrough saved a group of national treasures, Chinese patent medicines that were difficult to formulate due to the scarcity of natural musk.
Currently, the Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Shanghe Project is in the midst of intense construction. Once completed, the project is expected to achieve an annual output value of 1.3 billion yuan. It aims to realize automation, digitization, and intelligence, constructing a park for the 5G+ industrial internet and green ecological fine chemical industry. The goal is to create a first-class data-driven pharmaceutical intermediate such as l-muscone unicorn enterprise. Hongjitang Pharmaceutical will adhere to the directives outlined in the 20th Party Congress report, promoting the inheritance and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine. In alignment with government work arrangements, it strives to be a pioneer, shouldering the mission of inheriting the essence of traditional Chinese medicine, leading in Chinese medicine innovation, and producing trustworthy, effective, innovative, and safe medicines. The company aims to safeguard the health of the people.
Ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicinal ingredient with a history dating back over 2000 years, has gained significant attention in both Eastern and Western health markets. Derived from donkey hide gelatin, it is widely used for its perceived health benefits including boosting vitality, nourishing blood, and improving overall well-being. China, as the epicenter of Ejiao production, boasts a rich heritage and advanced manufacturing capabilities that have made it the China Ejiao suppliers of this unique and valuable product.
China’s Dominance in Ejiao Production
The Ejiao industry in China is deeply rooted in cultural tradition and backed by modern technology. With vast populations of donkeys and centuries-old processing techniques passed down through generations, Chinese Ejiao suppliers have perfected the art of extracting and refining the gelatin to meet stringent quality standards. The country’s climate and geographical conditions are also conducive to raising donkeys, which provides an ample supply of raw materials.
Leading China Ejiao Suppliers: Their Role and Contributions
1. China Ejiao suppliers: As one of the largest Ejiao producers in China, they specialize in high-quality Ejiao products using state-of-the-art extraction methods. They adhere to strict quality control measures, ensuring their products meet international safety and efficacy standards.
2. Shandong Dong’e Ejiao Co., Ltd: This company has a long-standing reputation as a premier supplier, famous for its authentic and premium Ejiao. Its brand name has become synonymous with the highest quality Ejiao products globally. It invests heavily in research and development to innovate and enhance the production process while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
3.Hebei Xinjiu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd: Another key player in the market, Xinjiu Pharmaceutical stands out for its commitment to sustainable sourcing and ethical practices. They strive to maintain the balance between meeting market demand and protecting animal welfare, thereby contributing to the sustainability of the Ejiao industry.
4.Smaller yet Impactful Producers: Beyond these giants, numerous smaller-scale but equally impactful Ejiao suppliers operate throughout China. These local enterprises often hold on to family recipes and regional specialties, adding diversity to the market and catering to niche preferences.
Global Reach and Future Challenges
Chinese Ejiao suppliers export their products worldwide, capitalizing on the growing interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural remedies. However, the industry faces several challenges, including increasing concerns over animal welfare, the depletion of donkey populations due to excessive demand, and the need for more scientific evidence supporting the health claims of Ejiao. They are also collaborating with international research institutions to substantiate the health benefits of Ejiao through clinical trials and studies.
The origins of Ejiao medicine can be traced back to ancient China, where it was initially reserved for imperial use due to its rarity and efficacy. With vast populations of donkeys and centuries-old processing techniques passed down through generations, Chinese does ejiao work suppliers have perfected the art of extracting and refining the gelatin to meet stringent quality standards. As interest in integrating traditional medicines into modern healthcare grows, there is a pressing need for comprehensive, peer-reviewed research on Ejiao gelatin.Although TCM treatments like fufang ejiao jiang demam berdarah are deeply rooted in centuries-old medical practices, they have attracted interest from modern medical researchers for their potential in treating complex diseases.
In the realm of food production, packaging, and equipment, the term “food grade” holds significant weight. It refers to a crucial standard that ensures the safety and suitability of materials and products intended for contact with food. Understanding the concept of food grade is imperative as it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding consumer health and maintaining the integrity of food products.
“Food grade” signifies that a particular material or product is safe for direct contact with food without causing contamination or posing health risks. It encompasses various components involved in food processing, such as machinery, containers, packaging, utensils, and additives.
Regulatory agencies worldwide establish stringent guidelines and standards to define what qualifies as food grade. These standards often regulate the composition, quality, and manufacturing processes of materials that come into contact with food. Common regulatory bodies include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and other regional authorities across the globe.
Material Suitability and Safety
Materials classified as food grade must meet specific criteria regarding their composition and characteristics. These materials are typically non-toxic, free from harmful chemicals, and designed to resist corrosion, degradation, or contamination when in contact with food substances. Common materials include stainless steel, certain plastics, glass, silicone, and food-safe coatings.
Importance in Food Packaging
Food grade standards play a crucial role in food packaging. Containers, wrappers, and packaging materials must not transfer any harmful substances to the food they encase. Whether it’s plastic containers, paperboard cartons, or flexible packaging, adherence to food grade standards ensures that the packaging materials do not compromise the safety or quality of the food.
Equipment and Machinery Compliance
In food processing facilities, the equipment and machinery used in handling, storing, or preparing food must meet food grade standards. This includes conveyor belts, storage tanks, mixers, and other machinery parts that come into direct or indirect contact with food. Materials used in these machines must be resistant to corrosion, easy to clean, and not reactive with food substances.
Ensuring Consumer Safety and Confidence
The adherence to food grade standards is paramount in maintaining consumer confidence in food safety. Consumers rely on these standards to trust that the food they purchase and consume is free from contaminants, toxins, or harmful substances that could jeopardize their health.As scientific knowledge evolves and new materials and processes emerge, the standards for food grade also evolve. Continuous monitoring, research, and advancements in technology lead to improved materials, better manufacturing processes, and stricter regulations to ensure food safety and quality.
The concept of food grade is fundamental in ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply chain. Adherence to these standards, whether in materials, packaging, or machinery, guarantees that the food produced and consumed meets the highest safety and quality standards. Continuous efforts to uphold and improve food grade standards remain essential in safeguarding public health and fostering trust in the food industry.
On December 22, 2023, the 7th Hongji Tang Donkey Gelatin Culture Festival and the 2023 Jinan Community Grand Carnival Selection kicked off at the Hongji Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural and Industrial Park. This edition of the Gelatin Festival is open to visitors from around the world and enthusiasts of traditional Chinese medicine. The event saw the participation of nearly five hundred attendees, including government officials, partners, media, and local residents, all coming together to celebrate the grand occasion.
Winter Solstice and community celebration – the Hongji Tang Gelatin Culture Festival and Jinan Community Grand Carnival have always been highly anticipated cultural events. The Hongji Tang Ejiao Culture Festival, now in its seventh edition, has become a significant platform for promoting the cultural ideals of traditional Chinese medicine. The Jinan Community Grand Carnival, rooted in the community and thriving for over a decade, has evolved into a distinct New Year’s Eve brand for the citizens of Jinan. The collaboration between these two major cultural events, promoting health during the Winter Solstice and fostering community celebration, marks a significant and eagerly awaited moment for the people of the Spring City.
Winter Solstice and community celebration – the Hongji Tang Gelatin Culture Festival and Jinan Community Grand Carnival have always been highly anticipated cultural events. The Hongji Tang Ejiao Culture Festival, now in its seventh edition, has become a significant platform for promoting the cultural ideals of traditional Chinese medicine. The Jinan Community Grand Carnival, rooted in the community and thriving for over a decade, has evolved into a distinct New Year’s Eve brand for the citizens of Jinan. The collaboration between these two major cultural events, promoting health during the Winter Solstice and fostering community celebration, marks a significant and eagerly awaited moment for the people of the Spring City.
Deep integration and collaborative efforts in commerce and industry. It’s worth noting that, in this Gelatin Culture Festival, Hongji Tang Pharmaceutical has collaborated with dozens of pharmacy chains such as Shandong Yanxi Tang Medicine Chain, Shandong Xinhongren Medicine Chain, Gaomi Hongsheng Pharmaceutical, Shandong Jintong Big Pharmacy Chain, Qingdao Spring Big Pharmacy Chain, Jining Guanglian Medicine Chain, Shandong Luoxin Big Pharmacy Chain, Xingfu Ren Big Pharmacy Chain, Shandong Baochuntang Big Pharmacy Chain, etc., to simultaneously live broadcast the grandeur of the Gelatin Festival. This initiative allows the pharmacy chains to step into Hongji Tang Pharmaceutical, understand the Hongji Tang Gelatin Culture Festival, experience the beauty of gelatin preparation, and encounter the etiquette of China.
The entire event is live-streamed online to share the Gelatin Culture. This year, the 7th Hongji Tang Ejiao Culture Festival adopts a fully online live broadcast format, allowing citizens to virtually explore the Gelatin Festival. Together, they witness the opening ceremony, the joyful Mirror Universe worship ceremony, the fire-taking ceremony, the water-fetching ceremony, and the water-pouring and gelatin-cooking ceremony. This online approach enables a broad audience to experience the charm of traditional Chinese medicine culture and the exceptional quality of Hongji Tang Gelatin, with online views reaching up to 100,000 people.
Hongji Tang, established in 1909, founded the Hongji Ejiao Factory, and has upheld its legacy for over a century. This century-long journey is not only a legendary corporate development history but also a proud chronicle of a national brand’s growth.
Hongji Tang Pharmaceutical grandly hosts the Winter Solstice Ejiao Culture Festival for two primary reasons. Firstly, it aims to inherit traditional Chinese medicine culture. The health practices during the Winter Solstice embody the philosophical and health connotations of Chinese culture, reflecting the traditional Chinese medicine culture of balancing Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. By organizing the opening ceremony, water-fetching and fire-taking ceremonies, and paying homage to ancestors, the festival awakens contemporary awareness of traditional Chinese medicine, better preserving and protecting the intangible cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. It also promotes traditional Chinese medicine culture, demonstrating corporate responsibility. Secondly, it seeks to spread the concept of health through gelatin consumption. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the Winter Solstice midnight belongs to the meeting point of the Three Yin, making it the optimal time for nourishing Yin. Winter Solstice health practices have been highly esteemed throughout history, considered the best period for winter supplementation. The selection of donkey hide as the Yin element, mulberry wood and fire as the Yang element during the Winter Solstice festival, signifies the harmonization of Yin and Yang, achieving balance through the interplay of water and fire. It takes 99 days and nights and 99 meticulous processes to produce the high-quality Hongji Tang Ejiao.
During the Gelatin Festival, citizens can enjoy the world’s longest traditional Chinese medicine culture relief wall at the Hongji Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural and Industrial Park, immersing themselves in the profound traditional Chinese medicine culture. They can witness traditional folk activities such as lion dances, paper cutting, dough figurines, Sichuan opera face-changing, sugar blowing, sugar-coated haws, and grass weaving. Visitors can experience the world’s largest manual gelatin-cooking technique with a giant gold pot and even personally participate in personalized gelatin cooking.
Gelatin is a widely used ingredient known for its gelling and stabilizing properties in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other industries. While most gelatins are derived from pork skins or cattle bones and hides, donkey hide gelatin is gaining popularity due to its distinctive characteristics. In this article, we will delve into the properties and applications of gelatin obtained from donkey hides.
The production process of donkey hide gelatin involves several steps. The hides are cured, washed, treated with lime, rinsed repeatedly, treated again, and then dried. This process extracts collagen from the hides while eliminating impurities. The purified collagen is hydrolyzed, breaking it down into the soluble gelatin form.
Donkey hide gelatin stands out due to its higher molecular weight and viscosity compared to gelatins from other common sources. These properties enable it to form stronger, more elastic gels that are less likely to melt than bovine or porcine gelatins. Donkey hide gelatin gels maintain their structure better over a wider temperature range.
From a nutritional perspective, donkey gelatin provides essential proteins and amino acids in a digestible form. It is low in fat and calories, making it suitable for health-conscious foods and supplements. Some research suggests that donkey collagen peptides may support joint and bone health, although further studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
In food applications, donkey hide gelatin excels at creating transparent, soft gels with well-defined outlines, unlike opaque and rubbery textures. This makes it popular for gourmet desserts such as fruit jellies, panna cotta, and mousses. Its strength allows delicate spherification techniques to produce unique candies and snacks.
In the medical field, donkey hide gelatin is used in medicinal gels, creams, and ointments due to its stability in suspending active ingredients without causing destabilization. Suppositories and other internal drug delivery forms maintain shape integrity better than with other gelatins. Externally, donkey gelatin improves the structure of scar gels, serums, and anti-aging products.
Cosmetic chemists appreciate donkey hide gelatin for its rheology-modifying abilities. It thickens formulations without becoming rigid, imparting a silky mouthfeel to makeup, hair stylers, and personal care products. Microencapsulation takes advantage of its robust yet delicate gelling properties to securely trap fragrances and protectives.
Although donkey hide gelatin comes at a higher price point than other gelatins, its performance advantages justify its use in premium-grade applications. Its unique properties enhance gourmet food products and results-oriented personal care formulations. Some producers offer a fractionated collagen product as a cost-effective alternative, providing gelatin benefits at a lower cost.
Looking ahead, improving donkey hide collection methods and gelatin extraction techniques may meet the growing demand for donkey gelatin in a cost-effective manner. Collaborations through organizations promoting ethical donkey husbandry could expand the supply of high-quality hides. Further exploration of donkey collagen’s nutritional and medical potential may reveal new application sectors. The versatility of donkey gelatin positions it for continued success across various industries.
In summary, donkey hide gelatin distinguishes itself from other sources with its valuable attributes for various applications. Its robust yet delicate nature provides superior functionalities that justify investment, particularly in high-end products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Although currently a niche product, advancements in production and research promise to enhance the reputation and accessibility of donkey gelatin as a unique gelling solution for producers.
