Desert King: The Natural Choice for Quillaja, Yucca and Jojoba Extracts.

Boost your vaccine’s immune response with the
globally accepted human vaccine-quality benchmark

New
Production Plant

New facility increases quillaja extract production capacity by 60%

Adjuvant

We are world leaders in the responsible production and commercialization
of the QS-21 adjuvant and other adjuvant precursors based on Quillaja saponins, essential
components of certain Malaria, Herpes Zoster and COVID-19 vaccines.

Supply and
Availability

Sustainable sourcing of Quillaja
raw material for the future and assured availability
of innovative, validated and effective products.

Desert King – Global leaders in Saponin-Rich Botanical Extracts

At Desert King, we are dedicated to the sustainable production and supply of high-purity botanical extracts from Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera—nature’s richest sources of saponins.

With over 40 years of expertise and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Chile, and Mexico, we deliver premium plant-based ingredients for a wide range of industries, including human and veterinary vaccines, beverages, animal health and nutrition, mining, agriculture, and cosmetics

Sustainable Innovation from Nature

We are committed at Desert King to deliver science-based, nature-driven solutions with the utmost respect for people and the planet. Our vertically integrated operations, from raw material sourcing to final extraction, are designed to balance performance, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Powerful natural adjuvants for human and veterinary vaccines

Our Quillaja saponins are internationally recognized as potent adjuvants in both human and veterinary vaccines. Among these, QS-21 stands out as a highly effective saponin adjuvant, renowned for its immune-enhancing properties.

Desert King´s saponins are critical components in 5 globally approved vaccines including those for malaria, shingles, COVID-19, and RSV, manufactured by leading laboratories such as GSK and Novavax. Also, our saponins are present in more than 20 commercially available veterinary vaccines, and in 26 human vaccines candidates in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Desert King supplies consistent, pharmaceutical-grade Quillaja saponins, supporting vaccine manufacturers with reliable quality and scalable supply.

Key applications of our saponin extracts

Beyond vaccine development, our Quillaja and Yucca extracts are trusted worldwide as natural foaming agents and emulsifiers:

Beverage industry: Our extracts provide stable, natural foaming in root beer, frozen carbonated beverages (FCBs), and functional drinks.

Emulsification: As natural emulsifiers, our saponins enable clean-label formulation of oil-in-water emulsions, nutraceuticals,
and botanical blends.

Clean label solutions: Our plant-based ingredients meet the growing demand for clean label, non-synthetic, and sustainably
sourced products.

These versatile botanical extracts are valued for their multi-functionality, safety, and efficacy across diverse applications.

Why Choose Desert King?

Proven Expertise

Over four decades of leadership in saponin extraction, natural product innovation, and botanical research.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Automated, advanced Quillaja and Yucca saponin production sites ensure purity, consistency, and scalable supply.

Global Reach

Trusted by more than 1,000 companies worldwide across pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, personal care, cosmetics, animal health, and more.

Certified Quality

We hold industry-leading certifications including FSSC 22000, ISO, Organic, and Kosher/Halal as required.

R&D Leadership

With 25+ years in botanical research and development, we continue to pioneer new applications for saponins in functional and therapeutic products.

Sustainable Sourcing

Desert King leads the world in Quillaja domestication, ensuring long-term supply and the protection of wild populations and biodiversity.

Lines of business

Pharmaceutics

Quillaja saponin extracts are used as adjuvant precursors for various human and animal vaccines.

Animal Nutrition and Health

A natural alternative to enhance the immune response, improve productive performance, intestinal health, and the absorption of nutrients in birds, pigs, and salmon, among other animals.

Food and Beverages

Foaming and emulsifying agents used in various beverages and foaming agents in the market. They also help to improve the solubility of powdered foods.

Personal Care and Cosmetics

An extract rich in antioxidants and natural surfactants, among many other properties. Used in creams, gels, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and soaps, etc.

Agriculture

Natural crop treatment option: BIO-pesticide-fungicide-insecticide, moisturizing agent, and growth booster.

Mining and Environment

A totally natural alternative for the suppression of acid fog during the electro-winning processes in Copper and Zinc mining. It also enhances biological processes such as the treatment of liquid wastes and biogases.

We are committed to our work through the use of applied science to contribute to humanity while seeking to preserve the species and the sustainability of our processes. We are constantly evolving to achieve this, adapting to the demands of our environment and our customers.

Paul Hiley
Executive Director Desert King Group