|
Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Testing
- Nutraceutical and dietary supplements are already nearly a
$100 billion industry worldwide. The fact that nutrition and
health go hand-in-hand and is not a new concept. More than
2,000 years ago Hippocrates is credited with stating "If we
could give every individual the right amount of nourishment
and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have
found the safest way to health." We also provide product
testing of novel compounds, routine raw material quality
assurance testing, and label guarantee using AOAC, USP, FCC
and other methods. A few of our services are listed below.
If you don’t see what you need,
contact us.
 Aloe:
Aloe vera has received a stamp of approval in human
health for the ability of the plant and plant gel to treat
burns and has been widely used in topical sunburn creams.
Studies in the Netherlands have examined the immune activity
of Aloe. Not surprisingly, a highly active polysaccharide
fraction of the Aloe gel was isolated and local activation
of the complement cascade led to an influx of monocytes and
poly morphonucleotides (PMN) to injuries was noted (Davis et
al, 1989). A trial published in November of 2005 found that
aloe vera improved the absorption of both vitamins C and E (Vintson
et al., 2005). Aloe vera consists of a glucomannan
polysaccharide.
Services
Provided:
Aloe
testing by USP Methods:
Water content of powder products.
Total Ash
Alcohol Insoluble substances
Percent glucose and mannose (by HPLC)
Quantification of Aloe polysaccharides by JAOAC method
(88:685-691.
2005).
Alpha Lipoic Acid:
α-Lipoic acid (also known as thioctic
acid) has been documented as an enzyme cofactor and an
antioxidant.
Services
Provided:
Identification and Quantification of α-Lipoic
acid by HPLC (USP-NF Method).
Anthocyanins: These
flavonoid pigments are found in plants, providing color in
everything from fruits to autumn leaves. More than 550
different anthocyanins have been identified. Anthocyanins
act as powerful antioxidants that aid in protecting the
plant from free radicals formed during metabolic processes.
Services
Provided:
Total
monomeric Anthocyanin by pH differential method.
HPLC characterization and quantification.
Contact us for the availability of analysis of specific
anthocyanins
Beta Glucan Content (Cereal grains):
(AOAC Method)
Mixed linkage β-glucans are polymers of
1-3, 1-4 β-glucose molecules and is a component of barley
and oats. Β-glucans have been shown to regulate blood
glucose levels, lower serum cholesterol and modulate the
immune system. The FDA approved a health claim for oat
products containing 0.75-grams of β-glucan per serving
indicating these levels can reduce the risk of heart disease
(FDA, 1997).
Services
Provided:
(AOAC
Method for cereal Beta Glucans)
 Cranberry: The USDA lists cranberries as number 6 on a list of 20 common
foods with high antioxidant content. Antioxidants protect
the body from free radical damage. Reductions is LDL
cholesterol, possible cancer protective effects and
improvements in urinary tract health have also been
attributed to cranberries (Ruel et al., 2005; Ferguson et
al., 2004; Sun et al., 2004; Howell et al., 2005).
Services
Provided:
Dextrose and Fructose content (USP
Method)
Organic Acid Content (USP Method)
Refractive Index (USP Method)
Sorbitol and Sucrose content (USP Method)
Enzyme Supplements and
Preparations
Fatty Acids in Fish Oils:
A number
of studies have shown an inverse relationship between fish
oil consumption and various forms of cancer and risk of
cardiovascular disease. Marine life is generally a rich
source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
Services
Provided:
Eicosapentaenoic acid and
Docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA)
(Gas Chromatography – AOAC Method)
Glucomannan from Konjac Flour: Konjac flour is a
hydrocolloidal polysaccharide from the tubers of
Amorphophallus species of plants. It is a glucomannan
polysaccharide consisting of β-1,4 linked glucose and
mannose with a molar ratio of 1.6(mannose):1.0(glucose). It
is commonly used as a gelling agent, thickener, and
emulsifier. Food Chemicals
Services
Provided:
Codex microscopic test
FCC Gel Test
FCC Heat Stable gel test
FCC Total carbohydrate (by subtraction)
Percent glucose and mannose (by HPLC)
Flavonols: An important source of antioxidant
compounds the flavonol glycosides are water-soluble pigments
responsible for the yellowish hues of cereal grains, fruits
and vegetables. Among the most prominent flavonol glycosides
are Quercetin, Resveratrol, Gallic acid and Ellagic acid.
Services
Provided:
HPLC analysis of many Flavonol
glycosides using USP-NF methods.
Contact us for the availability of
analysis of specific flavonol compounds.
Glucosamine: – One of the most popular
dietary supplements, glucosamines have been proven to have
beneficial effects on osteoarthritis (Reginster et al.,
2001). Glucosamine is an amino-monosaccharide found in and
around cartilage cells. Glucosamine hydrochloride and
sulfate are the forms most commonly found in dietary
supplements and claimed as ingredients on the label.
Services
Provided:
Glucosamine content (AOAC Method)
Inulin:
Inulin
and oligofructose occur in foods such as chicory, garlic,
onion, artichoke, asparagus, and leeks. The associated
fructans are fermented by desirable bacteria such as
Bifidobacteria. It is thought that a number of health
benefits are associated with increased levels of
Bifidobacteria including reductions in Clostridia and
coliform bacteria and antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic
properties (Sparkes et al., 1998; Reddy, 1999).
Services
Provided:
USP
Method of Analysis
Organic Acids:
Acetic, Citric, Formic, Oxalic, Succinic
and Tarataric acid.
Services
Provided:
Identification and quantification by
HPLC.
Polyphenolic Compounds: The polyphenolics are
important secondary metabolites produced by plants. Pholyphenolics are responsible for the color and flavor of
plant materials. Many have been found to have strong
antioxidant and anticancer activities.
Services
Provided:
Total polyphenolic compounds - By
Folin-Ciocaltaeu Colorimetry.
Contact
us for the availability of analysis of specific
Polyphenolic compounds.
Probiotics
Total Dietary Starch:
 Services
provided:
(AOAC
Method)
Total Starch:
Services provided:
(AOAC Method)
Sugar Alcohols:
Mannitol, Xylitol,
erythritol,
L-arabinitol, galactitol, and sorbitol.
Services
Provided:
Identification and quantification by
Food Chemicals Codex methods.
Vitamin Analysis:
Water Soluble:
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Cyanocobalamine (B12),
Folic acid, Niacinamide, Pantothenic acid, Para-aminobenzoic
acid, thiamine.
Fat Soluble: Vitamin A, A acetate,
Vitamin D2, D3, Vitamin E, E acetate and Vitamin K.
Services
Provided:
Quantification by American Association
of Cereal Chemists methods, HPLC and AOAC methods.
Volatile Fatty Acids:
(Formic, Acetic, Propionic, Butyric, Isobutyric,
Valeric, Isovaleric acids)
Services
Provided:
Quantification by HPLC or Gas
Chromatography.
|
