Development ofanalytical methodology applying GC-FID and GC-MS towards the quality control of nutraceuticals and an update on its regulation

Abstract

Nutraceuticals are the union of the words ‘nutrient’ and ‘pharmaceuticals’, and they represent a link between food and medicine, providing both nutritional and medicinal values, including the prevention and treatment of diseases. With the increasing interest in nutraceuticals and by the fact that they present pharmacological activities and therapeutic indication, it is essential to define appropriate legislation for this sort of product. Besides, it is important to employ analytical methodologies for the quality control of nutraceuticals, in order to guarantee its efficacy and safety. As a result, the reliability of nutraceuticals can be increased, as well as consumers safety and protection against misleadings. With that in mind, preliminary studies of a nutraceutical prototype have been carried out through the evaluation and development of an analytical methodology for quality control. This nutraceutical was designed with myrrh extract (Commiphora myrrha), ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) and caffeine to counteract the states of headache and migraine, since its bioactive compounds present anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, as well as vasoconstrictor effect. The analyses were carried out by GC-FID and GC-MS to identify and quantify marker compounds from myrrh extract, ginger extract, caffeine and in different batches of the nutraceutical prototype. Some discrepancies have been found regarding the plant extracts in the nutraceutical extracts, and between different batches of the nutraceutical. The set of results indicates the necessity of establishing parameters for quality control of the raw material and the final product, to ensure consumers a product with high quality standards.