Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program

Thanks to Hank Schultz from Natural Products Insider for reporting about the Damask Rose Essential Oil Adulterants Prevention Bulletin of #BAPP. He wrote “The new bulletin shows how lower-cost essential oils, essential oil fractions, or natural or synthetic chemicals have been used in the marketplace to ‘stretch’ authentic Damask rose essential oil or substitute for it altogether,” and continued “The Damask rose publication is the 28th such bulletin published thus far and is among 88 peer-reviewed publications overall that have been produced by the program.” To read Hank’s article please click the link: https://lnkd.in/gM2pPPed

The 30th issue of Botanical Adulterants Monitor is now online! The newsletter highlights the alarming practice of adding lead chromate to herbs and spices to enhance their visual appeal, focusing on turmeric, marigold, and cinnamon. This type of adulteration has resulted in high blood lead levels in children, particularly in regions with lax enforcement against spice fraud. However, it is a global problem. A recent recall in the U.S. involved lead-contaminated cinnamon-flavored applesauce from Ecuador. The Regulatory Alerts section includes an FDA warning about weight-loss supplements adulterated with yellow oleander, causing severe adverse effects. The Science Update section discusses efforts to curb lead chromate adulteration, the mislabeling of citric acid as Indian frankincense, authenticity testing of commercial lavender essential oils, and the analysis of commercial oregano samples using digital droplet PCR. The newsletter expresses our gratitude to peer reviewers, and supporters, and encourages anyone with interest in herbal product authenticity to let us know of instances of botanical ingredient adulteration with the goal to enhance the quality of the botanical dietary supplements on the market and increase consumer satisfaction. Click to read more: https://lnkd.in/gPwpaQQr

Today we start a new short video series introducing the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP)! Did you know that the first publication of BAPP, written by Steven Foster, was published in 2011? Watch the video to learn more!

Watch this insightful interview conducted by NutraIngredients USA’s Editor-in-Chief Stephen Daniells featuring Stefan Gafner about the latest HerbalGram article on the excessive dilution of botanical extracts: https://lnkd.in/gPZsMcUE Stephen Daniells wrote about a new HerbalGram article discussing the excessive dilution of botanical extracts with inert materials, also known as fairy dusting. “This [article] is about hopefully changing the practice of some members of industry to give consumers the product they expect,” said the paper’s lead author Stefan Gafner, chief science officer at the American Botanical Council. To read the “The Undisclosed Presence of Excipients and Diluents in Botanical Extracts” article visit: https://lnkd.in/gHdqDdgu

A recent NutraIngredients USA article summarized an investigation that revealed alarming issues with weight loss supplements marketed to military personnel. Out of 30 products purchased from 12 online companies in June 2023, 25 had inaccurate ingredient labels with seven containing hidden ingredients. Moreover, one-third of these supplements included substances prohibited for military use. Conducted by scientists from the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR), the study exposes the predatory marketing and low quality of these products, posing risks to both military members and the public. Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) highlights the need for better education and regulatory modernization to protect consumers from misbranded and adulterated supplements. Read more from NutraIngredients USA: https://lnkd.in/gA_wQHnG Read the original study from JAMA Network Open: https://lnkd.in/g37jvmSr

The Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on Damask Rose Essential Oil is now online! Damask rose (R𝘰𝘴𝘢 × 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢 Mill.) essential oil, derived from the distillation of Damask rose petals, is renowned as one of the most expensive essential oils. The oil is used in traditional medicine systems to treat depression and anxiety, to relieve stress, and as an ingredient in personal care, home care, and cosmetic products. The high production costs and low oil yield render the oil very expensive, and hence substitution with other, lower-cost ingredients labeled as “Damask rose oil” is not uncommon. Adulteration may involve the addition of natural or synthetic isolates, enriched fractions from lower cost essential oils (e.g., β-citronellol, geraniol, geranyl acetate, rose oxide, and 2-phenylethanol), and undeclared diluents such as vegetable oils or glycols. Additionally, geranium (𝘗𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴) and palmarosa (𝘊𝘺𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘪) essential oils are sometimes fraudulently labeled as Damask rose oil. The Damask rose essential oil bulletin, authored by Olha Mykhailenko, PhD, includes a review of the available literature on Damask rose oil adulteration, data on its adulteration frequency, and analytical approaches to detect adulterants. In addition, it provides information about the production and market importance of Damask rose oil and its therapeutic use and safety. Click the link to read more: https://lnkd.in/gvt9A4HC

The dried rhizome and roots of black cohosh (𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘢, Ranunculaceae) are used to manage premenstrual discomfort, dysmenorrhea, and climacteric symptoms like hot flashes and nervous irritability. Black cohosh is often adulterated with other 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘦𝘢 species from Asia, such as 𝘈. 𝘤𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘢, 𝘈. 𝘥𝘢𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, 𝘈. 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢, 𝘈. 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹, and 𝘈. 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘢. In Hong Kong, 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 is sometimes mistakenly sold as Chinese cimicifuga. On the other hand, North American species like 𝘈. 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘢, 𝘈. 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘢, and 𝘈. 𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘢, growing in the same area as black cohosh, may be inadvertently mistaken for black cohosh and cause accidental adulteration. The Black Cohosh Laboratory Guidance Document of BAPP reviews 36 analytical methods, including macroscopic and microscopic analyses, DNA-based tests, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), among others. Click the link to download BAPP’s Black Cohosh LGD: https://lnkd.in/gPP4mD5S

The Natural Products for Cancer Prevention and Therapy (NPCPT) 2024 conference was held in Ürgüp, Cappadocia, Türkiye, from June 7th to 9th. This event attracted participants from Bulgaria, Indonesia, Romania, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, and the USA, and featured many renowned scientists who experienced the warmth and hospitality of Türkiye. The conference showcased 10 plenary lectures, 10 oral presentations, and over 25 poster presentations. BAPP was represented by Stefan Gafner, who delivered a plenary lecture titled "Quality assessment of botanical ingredients used in cancer chemoprevention and treatment of cancer therapy related symptoms." Additionally, Stefan presented a seminar, “Botanical ingredient authenticity and quality, a tale in two chapters,” at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara, Türkiye, on June 10th. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the NPCPT organizing committee, especially Prof. Mükerrem Betül Yerer Aycan, and Prof. Funda Nuray Yalçın from Hacettepe University for their kind invitations.

𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲, 𝐇𝐏𝐓𝐋𝐂, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐂-𝐃𝐀𝐃-𝐐-𝐓𝐨𝐅 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒔 (𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐭) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝑩𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒂 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒂 (𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐭) Candlenut and Brazil nuts are marketed as dietary supplements for weight loss. However, these dietary supplements have been found to sometimes be adulterated with seeds of yellow oleander (𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘢) considered to be a health risk due to the presence of cardiac glycosides. Samples for the investigation were obtained from authenticated sources of the nuts and from commercial sources of dietary supplements. The presence of yellow oleander was confirmed in all eight commercial dietary supplement samples marketed as candlenut as well as in two of the six commercial samples of Brazil nuts. This study provides simple key identification characters using micro-morphology and histochemical localization of cardiac glycosides in yellow oleander seeds, HPTLC fingerprints, and LC-DAD-Q-ToF analytical parameters to detect and identify adulteration in commercial products. Click to read the article: https://lnkd.in/gDcX5fpH

Join us for a new episode of Radicle Perspectives webinar series featuring Stefan Gafner, Chief Science Officer at the American Botanical Council. Stefan will share valuable insights on combatting adulteration this interview, talking about how to protect brand and products from becoming subject to botanical adulterants. Register now for the event on June 21, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM CDT. https://lnkd.in/gtAH_gX3