Adulterants in selected dietary supplements and their detection methods

Abstract

At present, there is a growing trend toward the intentional adulteration of dietary supplements (DS) with synthetic pharmaceuticals, which represents an alarming emerging risk to consumers and a serious problem for regulatory agencies. An amazing array of synthetic drugs and their analogues have been reported as adulterants in DS. Mainly, the presence of analogues represents a serious health risk as their efficacy and toxic effects have not been clinically assessed yet and may result in unpredictable adverse effects. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview, over the period 2009–2019, of the most frequently reported adulterants in DS for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, obesity/overweight, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension and the analytical methods used for their detection.

Development and Validation of the LC–MS/MS Method for Determination of 130 Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Cannabis Oil

“…In combination with gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry finds a number of applications in controlling the quality and safety of dietary supplements. The extensive literature on the subject confirms that conjugate techniques are also perfect for detecting, confirming, and quantifying pharmaceuticals and psychoactive substances, as well as for studying the structures of new compounds added to this type of product [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assay for Detection of Furosemide in Slimming Health Foods

“…According to the current legislation of the European Union (EU), the USA and China, synthetic drugs are not allowed in dietary supplements due to their harmful side effects [ 4 ]. However, some unscrupulous traders continue to illegally add drugs to slimming dietary supplements to increase the weight loss effect for the purpose of promoting sales, especially diuretics, appetite suppressants, gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors, energy expenditure agents and laxatives.…”

Adulteration of the Herbal Weight Loss Products by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Antiobesity Medications: A Pilot Study

“…ere is growing concern over the presence of illicit substances, such as CNS stimulants and psychotropic agents in these products that could bring serious adverse effects. Sibutramine, methamphetamine, metformin, and bupropion are the most illicit substances found in herbal weight loss products [6]. e addition of these medicines to herbal weight loss may result in many side effects such as dry mouth, hand tremors, hypertension, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, palpitations, asthma, renal and liver damage, and cardiovascular diseases [7].…”