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Dear Reader
There has been plenty of news on adulteration for consideration in this new issue of the “Botanical Adulterants Monitor.” New analytical methods to authenticate botanicals and detect adulteration are published regularly, and the Botanical Adulterants Program has reached a new milestone after the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) sent a letter of support acknowledging their willingness to endorse our Program and cooperate with us on a broad international level. The public endorsement of IADSA is a sign of an effort by the responsible members of the international dietary/food supplement industry to work together to improve the quality of herbal supplements. According to ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, “This endorsement and the cooperation between our Program and IADSA will help take our work on adulteration education to a new quantum level of impact in countries around the world.” With regard to other news, we are happy to welcome John H. Cardellina, II, PhD, as a technical consultant and editor to the Program. His wealth of knowledge and years of experience as a natural product chemist will be highly valuable to the Program.
The regulatory section below details two cases from 2013 (from Bulgaria and Germany) and 2014 (from Hong Kong, China) in which products were recalled due to adulteration with tropane alkaloids or tropane alkaloid-containing plant material... MORE
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Stefan Gafner, PhD
Chief Science Officer, ABC
Technical Director, ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program |
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ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program
Recent News
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Regulatory Alerts
Bulgarian Marshmallow Root Adulterated with Belladonna Root
The 2013 report Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission listed one case of
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Herbal Recalls in Hong Kong
On August 28,2014, the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) issued a recall of four herbal medicines and one animal-based medicine, namely clematis (Clematis
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Upcoming Events
Below are descriptions and links to some of the upcoming conferences, seminars and workshops that may be of interest to learn more on adulteration.
USP Workshop on Chemical Contaminants in Foods
Rockville, MD: November 20-21, 2014
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Useful Links and Resources
For more information and updates on the work of the three partner organizations of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program, please visit ABC at www.herbalgram.org, AHP at www.herbal-ahp.org, and NCNPR at www.pharmacy.olemiss.edu/ncnpr.
Other Helpful Resources and Weblinks
AHPA Botanical Identity References Compendium:
http://www.botanicalauthentication.org/index.php/Main_Page
Chinese Medicinal Plants Authentication Centre:
http://www.kew.org/science/ecbot/ecbot-cmpac.html
European Commision's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed:
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/consumers/
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Previous Issue of “Botanical Adulterants Monitor”
Available here. |
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Science Update
Focus on Anthocyanins
Reviewed: Yamamoto M, Yamaura K, Ishiwatari M, et al. Degradation Index for quality evaluation of commercial dietary supplements of bilberry extract. J Food Sci. 2013;78(3):S477-S483.
A group from Chiba University (Chiba, Japan) investigated the heat stability of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus, Ericaceae) or blueberry (V. angustifolium [lowbush blueberry]; V. corymbosum [highbush blueberry]; possibly other Vaccinium spp.) anthocyanins in solid dosage forms (soft capsules, tablets, and granules). MORE
Metabolomic Profiling of Saw Palmetto Extracts Allows Distinguishing among Materials Produced Using Different Extraction Methods and to Detect Adulteration with Other Vegetable Oils
Reviewed: Booker A, Suter A, Krnjic A, et al. A phytochemical comparison of saw palmetto products using gas chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolomic profiling. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014;66(6):811-822.
This is another example of collaboration between a dietary supplement manufacturer (Bioforce AG; Roggwil, Switzerland) and an academic institution (University of London; London, UK). MORE
Comprehensive Investigation Finds African Mango Seed Powder Adulterated with Goji Berry
Reviewed: Li J, Pan L, Naman CB, et al. Pyrrole alkaloids with potential cancer chemopreventive activity isolated from a goji berry-contaminated commercial sample of African mango. J Agric Food Chem. 2014;62(22):5054-5060.
In a collaboration between Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (Spanish Fork, UT) and the Ohio State University, a sample of commercially available purported powdered African mango (Irvingia gabonensis, Irvingiaceae) seed was submitted to bioactivity-guided fractionation after an initial screening revealed potent cancer chemopreventive activity of the chloroform-soluble portion in a quinone-reductase assay. MORE
A Combination of HPLC Fingerprints and the Agnuside/Casticin Ratio Serves as a Useful Tool to Evaluate the Qualities of Chaste Berry Preparations
Reviewed: Fukahori M, Kobayashi S, Naraki Y, et al. Quality evaluation of medicinal products and health foods containing chaste berry (Vitex agnus-castus) in Japanese, European and American markets. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2014;62(4):379-385.
Twenty-four commercial chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus, Lamiaceae) berry products were purchased from a Japanese online shopping site and an American online shopping site and analyzed by HPLC-UV. The commercial samples were separated into medicinal products (n = 7) and health food products (n = 17). MORE
UV Spectrophotometry with Chemometric Analysis as a Means to Authenticate Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Reviewed: Gad HA, El-Ahmady SH, Abou-Shoer MI, Al-Azizi MM. A modern approach to the authentication and quality assessment of thyme using UV spectroscopy and chemometric analysis. Phytochem Anal. 2013;24(6):520-526.
Thyme is one of the botanicals where a number of different species are accepted as having medicinal benefits. The thyme monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) lists two species, thyme (Thymus vulgaris, Lamiaceae) and Spanish thyme (T. zygis), as acceptable sources. MORE
The Importance of Specificity – Alleged Adulteration of Dietary Supplements with Thyroid Hormones Based on Inadequate Analytical Testing
Reviewed: Kang GY, Parks JR, Fileta B, et al. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine content in commercially available thyroid health supplements. Thyroid. 2013;23(10):1233-1237. http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/501/021465-501.html.
Many health supplements containing herbal extracts or animal-based thyroid tissue are marketed to improve thyroid function. MORE
HPLC Method Allows Detection of Undeclared Ashwagandha Aerial Part Material in Commercial Ashwagandha Root Products
Reviewed: Mundkinajeddu D, Sawant LP, Koshy R, et al. Development and validation of high performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of flavonoid glycosides in Withania somnifera aerial parts. ISRN Analytical Chemistry. March 10, 2014;2014:351547. doi: 10.1155/2014/351547.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Solanaceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants in traditional Indian medicine systems. MORE
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About the |
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The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program is a consortium of independent nonprofit organizations whose mission relates to education, scientific research, and quality of botanical dietary ingredients and related plant-derived materials. The consortium is headed by three nonprofit groups dealing with education and research on medicinal herbs and other beneficial plants: the American Botanical Council, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi. The program is underwritten or endorsed by more than 130 natural products industry companies, independent analytical laboratories, contract research organizations, nonprofit and professional organizations, trade associations, accredited institutions of education in natural medicine, law firms, and media companies that are involved in the production, supply, manufacture, distribution, marketing, analysis, research, and/or education of herbal dietary ingredients and supplements, in the United States and internationally. All publications of the Program are available free-access on its homepage including the “Botanical Adulterants Monitor,” an e-newsletter that conveys Program news, regulatory updates, and recent scientific publications related to adulteration, contamination, identity, and authenticity of botanical raw materials, extracts, and essential oils. Companies, organizations, foundations, and/or individuals interested in supporting this program are invited to contact Ms. Denise Meikel, ABC Development Director, at (512) 926-4900, ext. 120, or by email. |
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Thank You to Our Supporters
Underwriters and Supporters of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program (as of November 5, 2014)* |
Financial Underwriters
21st Century Healthcare
AdvoCare International
L.P.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Amen Clinics
Amway/Nutrilite Health Institute
Artemis International, Inc.
Aveda Corporation
BI Nutraceuticals
Bioceuticals
Bionorica SE
Blackmores
Capsugel
Cepham, Inc.
Chemi Nutra
CNCA Health
Crila Health
dicentra, Inc.
Doctor's Best
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
DSM Nutritional Products,
Inc.
Emerson Ecologics
Enzymatic Therapy, Inc.
Ethical Naturals, Inc.
Eu Yan Sang International
EuroMed
EuroMedica
EuroPharma
Flavex Naturextrakte GmbH
FoodState/MegaFood
Gaia Herbs
Gencor Nutrients, Inc.
GNC, Inc.
Helios Corp.
Herb Pharm
Herbalife International,
Inc.
Horphag Research
iHerb
Indena USA, Inc.
Ingredient Identity
Linnea
Markan Global Enterprises,
Inc.
Martin Bauer, Inc.
MediHerb / Integria Healthcare
Metagenics, Inc.
Natural Factors
Nutritional Products,
Inc./Bioclinic Naturals
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Financial Underwriters
(cont'd)
Natural Grocers by
Vitamin Cottage
Nature's Sunshine Products
Nature's Way
Naturex, Inc.
NBTY, Inc.
New Chapter, Inc.
The New Frontier
Foundation Fund of
the Greater Cedar
Rapids Community
Foundation
Ningbo Greenhealth
Pharmaceutical Co.,
Ltd.
Novel Ingredients
NOW Foods
Nu Skin Enterprises/Pharmanex
Nutritional Laboratories
International
Ortho Molecular Products
Pacific Nutritional Inc.
Paragon Laboratories
Pathway International
Pty Limited
Perrigo Company
Pharmatoka SAS
Pharmavite, LLC
Polyphenolics, Division of
Constellation Brands, Inc.
Pure Encapsulations
Rainbow Light Nutritional
Systems
RFI Ingredients, LLC
Sabinsa Corporation
Schwabe North America
Shaklee Corp
Standard Process, Inc.
Thorne Research, Inc.
Traditional Medicinals,
Inc.
Triarco Industries, Inc.
Unigen
Valensa International
V.D.F. FutureCeuticals
Verdure Sciences
Vitamin Shoppe
Weil Lifestyle, LLC
Whole Foods Market
ZMC-USA |
Trade Associations
Australian Self Medication
Industry
Australian Tea Tree
Industry Association
(Australia)
Complementary
Healthcare Council of
Australia (Australia)
Consumer Healthcare
Products Association
(US)
Council for Responsible
Nutrition (US)
International Alliance of
Dietary/Food
Supplement
Associations (IADSA)
Natural Products
Association (US)
United Natural Products
Alliance (US)
Nonprofit/Professional Associations
American Association of
Naturopathic
Physicians
American Society of
Pharmacognosy
Council of Colleges of
Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine
Personalized Lifestyle
Medicine Institute
Society for Medicinal
Plant and Natural
Product Research
- GA
Colleges/Universities
Bastyr University
Boucher Institute for
Naturopathic Medicine
National College of
Natural Medicine
Southwest College of
Naturopathic Medicine
University of Bridgeport
College
of Naturopathic
Medicine
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Third-Party Analytical Laboratories
Alkemist Labs
AuthenTechnologies LLC
Bent Creek Institute
British Columbia Institute
of Technology
ChromaDex
Covance Laboratories
Eurofins Scientific Inc.
Flora Research Labs
NSF International
Spectrix Labs
Tampa Bay Analytical
Media
Delicious Living
Engredea
Functional Ingredients
Holistic Primary Care
Informa Exhibitions US
Integrator Blog
Media Relations, Inc.
Modern Healthcare Practitioner
Natural Foods Merchandiser
Natural Products INSIDER
NewHope360.com
Nutraceuticals World
NutraingredientsUSA.com
Nutrition Business Journal
Nutrition Industry Executive
Nutritional Outlook
Vitamin Retailer
WholeFoods Magazine
Law Firms
Amin Talati, LLC
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
(James Prochnow)
Law Office of Holly Bayne,
P.C.
Robert Forbes &
Associates
Contract Research Organizations
KGK Synergize
Medicus Research
Other
Korean Ginseng Research
Institute
Shanghai Research Center
for TCM Modernization/
Shanghai Institute of
Materia Medica of the
Chinese Academy of
Sciences |
*By acknowledging the generous support of these companies and organizations, ABC, AHP, and NCNPR are not endorsing any ingredients or products that may be produced or marketed by them. |
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