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Member Advisory 

ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program Releases Second Issue of “Botanical Adulterants Monitor” Newsletter

Newsletter Contains Summaries of New Research on Adulteration of African Mango, and Chaste Tree Berry Extract, among Others

Botanical Adulterants Program Underwriters and Endorsers Encouraged to Share Newsletter with Regulatory, QC, Purchasing, and Other Relevant Staff Members

(AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2014) The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program has just released its second issue of the “Botanical Adulterants Monitor,” an e-newsletter intended to provide relevant stakeholders with the latest news and information regarding the adulteration, identity, and quality of botanical raw materials, extracts, essential oils, and related plant-based materials used in consumer products.

The new edition of the Monitor contains the most recent news from the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program, recent activities by regulatory agencies with emphasis on two cases of botanical ingredients adulterated with tropane-alkaloid-containing materials, plus summaries of recently published scientific papers about tests conducted on botanical materials to determine the presence of adulterants. Such articles include new papers on analytical methods to detect adulteration of African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) seed, ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root, and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) berry, among others. A particular focus in the second issue is given to the authentication of anthocyanin-containing botanical ingredients, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis).

The newsletter is compiled and edited by Stefan Gafner, PhD, chief science officer of ABC and technical director of the Botanical Adulterants Program.

ABC recommends that recipients of this ABC Member Advisory share the link to the Monitor newsletter via this link with fellow colleagues, including persons with responsibilities in regulatory, quality control, purchasing, and related departments of commercial businesses, as well as other colleagues in academia, health professions, and/or government agencies. You must be a registered user of the ABC website to read articles contained the "Botanical Adulterants Monitor." If you are not yet registered, you can sign up here.

The second issue of the “Botanical Adulterants Monitor” can be accessed here. The first issue (June 2014) of the Monitor can be accessed here.