Risk assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations intended for use in food and food supplements: Emerging issues

The chromatographic fingerprinting study and genotoxicity evaluation of aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves

Cyclocarya paliurus leaf is a medicinal and edible homologous plant, which possess various bioactive components with significant health benefits. However, the quality and safety of the aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves (CPLAE) vary greatly due to the raw materials and preparation technology. At present, chromatographic fingerprinting has been widely used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, a method combining high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint with quantitative analysis was established and successfully applied to the characterization and quality evaluation of the CPLAE. In addition, the genetic safety of the CPLAE was evaluated by genotoxicity tests, including Ames test, chromosomal aberration test of Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cell in vitro, and bone marrow micronucleus test in mice. The results showed that 10 batches of CPLAE samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), and the similarity of chromatographic fingerprint of each batch was above 0.961, indicating good similarity. At the same time, the 6 compounds with high absorption strength in the chromatogram were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that all 6 compounds had good regression (R2=1.000) in the test range, and the recoveries ranged from 96.25% to 102.46%. The results of the 3 genotoxicity tests showed that the highest dose of CPLAE had no genotoxicity. In conclusion, the newly established chromatographic fingerprint and multi-component quantitative analysis method is stable and accurate, and can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of the CPLAE. Moreover, the CPLAE has the characteristics of safety and high quality as functional materials in food.

In Search of Authenticity Biomarkers in Food Supplements Containing Sea Buckthorn: A Metabolomics Approach

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (SB) is increasingly consumed worldwide as a food and food supplement. The remarkable richness in biologically active phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, vitamins) is responsible for its purported nutritional and health-promoting effects. Despite the considerable interest and high market demand for SB-based supplements, a limited number of studies report on the authentication of such commercially available products. Herein, untargeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS) were able to compare the phytochemical fingerprint of leaves, berries, and various categories of SB-berry herbal supplements (teas, capsules, tablets, liquids). By untargeted metabolomics, a multivariate discrimination analysis and a univariate approach (t-test and ANOVA) showed some putative authentication biomarkers for berries, e.g., xylitol, violaxanthin, tryptophan, quinic acid, quercetin-3-rutinoside. Significant dominant molecules were found for leaves: luteolin-5-glucoside, arginine, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, serotonin, and tocopherol. The univariate analysis showed discriminations between the different classes of food supplements using similar algorithms. Finally, eight molecules were selected and considered significant putative authentication biomarkers. Further studies will be focused on quantitative evaluation.

Authentication of milk thistle commercial products using UHPLC-QTOF-ESI + MS metabolomics and DNA metabarcoding

BACKGROUND

Milk thistle is one of the most popular hepatoprotectants, and is often sold in combination with other ingredients. Botanical supplements are known to be vulnerable to contamination and adulteration, and emerging technologies show promise to improve their quality control.

METHODS

Untargeted and semi-targeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-QTOF-ESI⁺MS techniques, UV spectrometry, and DNA metabarcoding using Illumina MiSeq were used to authenticate eighteen milk thistle botanical formulations (teas, capsules, tablets, emulsion).

RESULTS

Untargeted metabolomics separated 217 molecules and by multivariate analysis the discrimination between the different preparations was established. The semi-targeted metabolomics focused on 63 phytochemicals, mainly silymarin flavonolignans and flavonoids, that may be considered as putative biomarkers of authenticity. All formulations contained molecules from silymarin complexes at different levels. The quantitative evaluation of silybins was done using in parallel UV spectrometry and UHPLC-QTOF-ESI⁺MS and their correlations were compared. DNA metabarcoding detected milk thistle in eleven out of sixteen retained preparations, whereas two others had incomplete evidence of milk thistle despite metabolomics validating specific metabolites, e.g., silymarin complex, identified and quantified in all samples. Meanwhile, the DNA metabarcoding provided insights into the total species composition allowing the interpretation of the results in a broad context.

CONCLUSION

Our study emphasizes that combining spectroscopic, chromatographic, and genetic techniques bring complementary information to guarantee the quality of the botanical formulations.

Detecting and Profiling of Milk Thistle Metabolites in Food Supplements: A Safety-Oriented Approach by Advanced Analytics

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is among the top-selling botanicals used as a supportive treatment for liver diseases. Silymarin, a mixture of unique flavonolignan metabolites, is the main bioactive component of milk thistle. The biological activities of silymarin have been well described in the literature, and its use is considered safe and well-tolerated in appropriate doses. However, commercial preparations do not always contain the recommended concentrations of silymarin, failing to provide the expected therapeutic effect. While the poor quality of raw material may explain the low concentrations of silymarin, its deliberate removal is suspected to be an adulteration. Toxic contaminants and foreign matters were also detected in milk thistle preparations, raising serious health concerns. Standard methods for determination of silymarin components include thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with various detectors, but nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) have also been applied. This review surveys the extraction techniques of main milk thistle metabolites and the quality, efficacy, and safety of the derived food supplements. Advanced analytical authentication approaches are discussed with a focus on DNA barcoding and metabarcoding to complement orthogonal chemical characterization and fingerprinting of herbal products.

Alkenylbenzenes in Foods: Aspects Impeding the Evaluation of Adverse Health Effects

Alkenylbenzenes are naturally occurring secondary plant metabolites, primarily present in different herbs and spices, such as basil or fennel seeds. Thus, alkenylbenzenes, such as safrole, methyleugenol, and estragole, can be found in different foods, whenever these herbs and spices (or extracts thereof) are used for food production. In particular, essential oils or other food products derived from the aforementioned herbs and spices, such as basil-containing pesto or plant food supplements, are often characterized by a high content of alkenylbenzenes. While safrole or methyleugenol are known to be genotoxic and carcinogenic, the toxicological relevance of other alkenylbenzenes (e.g., apiol) regarding human health remains widely unclear. In this review, we will briefly summarize and discuss the current knowledge and the uncertainties impeding a conclusive evaluation of adverse effects to human health possibly resulting from consumption of foods containing alkenylbenzenes, especially focusing on the genotoxic compounds, safrole, methyleugenol, and estragole.

Risk characterisation of constituents present in jamu to promote its safe use

Safety in use of jamu consumption, as part of traditional medicine from Indonesia, is dependent on the complete and adequate assessment of potential hazards and risks of the botanicals and botanical constituents included. This includes especially hazards and risks related to the presence in jamu of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) as well as of constituents that are genotoxic and carcinogenic. The present review presents an overview of the current state-of-the art on these hazards and risks based on case reports on adulteration, and the actual detection of genotoxic and carcinogenic ingredients of concern in jamu. Based on the overview thus obtained, it appears that drug-adulteration presents important hazards responsible for potential adverse effects, due to overdosing. The potential hazards of exposure to APIs mainly relate to the presence of constituents that may cause liver damage, renal impairment, kidney failure, steroid dependence or genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. For these APIs, a risk characterisation was performed based on comparison of health-based guidance values (HBGVs) and exposure, while for the genotoxic carcinogens the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used. Results of this risk characterisation should be used by risk managers to impose specification for constituents of health concern to protect consumers. It is concluded that to manage the risks identified and further improve the safety in use of jamu, a collaboration between farmers, manufacturer/producers, academia, government, health professionals, and consumers is indicated.

Consumers' attitude toward dietary supplements and functional food: a prospective survey in a Greek population sample

PURPOSE

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the attitudes among a sample of educated Greek consumers toward the use of dietary supplements (DS) and functional foods (FF) given that attitudes and behaviors as regards DS/FF have not been sufficiently evaluated in Southern Europe, where their penetration is lower as compared to northern countries.

METHOD

An online questionnaire was completed by 358 individuals (n = 358, 55.6% females, 44.4% males, and 82% of the total with higher education). Questionnaire reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient while independence among qualitative variables was assayed by Pearson's chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. The different groups of questions were analyzed by factor analysis, with principal component analysis and Varimax rotation, applied after a factor analysis and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy test. Finally, a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Ward's method, using the squared Euclidean distance as a measure, was performed in order to identify and classify cases.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the majority of responders were aware of the principles of healthy eating, considering DS/FF as valid additives conferring beneficial effects. A surprising finding is that consumers, independently of the use of DS/FF, tend to prepare food at home and to adhere strongly to the Mediterranean diet and its principles. In addition, they express a certain degree of wariness as to product labeling and health claims, following instead the recommendations of health professionals and scientific evidence. Finally, they prefer to purchase DS/FF from pharmacies.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide valuable data concerning active Greek consumers' attitudes toward these relative new products, which could be extended to other Mediterranean and South European populations.

Bioinspired oxidation in cytochrome P450 of isomers orientin and isoorientin using Salen complexes

RATIONALE

Orientin and isoorientin are C-glycosidic flavonoids, considered as markers of some plant species such as Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener, and reported in the literature to have pharmacological properties. In order to evaluate and characterize the in vitro metabolism of these flavonoids, phase I biotransformation reactions were simulated using Salen complexes.

METHODS

These flavonoids were oxidized separately in biomimetic reactions in different proportions, using one oxidant, m-chloroperbenzoic acid or iodosylbenzene, and one catalyst, the Jacobsen catalyst or [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl]. The [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl] catalyst was synthesized and characterized using spectrometric techniques. The oxidation potentials of the catalysts were compared. All reactions were monitored and analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (UHPLC-DAD) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS).

RESULTS

The analysis by UHPLC-DAD and HPLC/MS/MS showed that isoorientin produces more products than orientin and that [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl] produces more products than the Jacobsen catalyst. In addition, [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl], which has a higher oxidation potential, formed products with the addition of one or two atoms of oxygen, while the Jacobsen catalyst formed compounds with only one added oxygen atom. The products with the addition of one oxygen atom were mainly epoxides, while those with two added oxygens formed an epoxide in the C-ring and incorporated the other oxygen into the glycosidic moiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The formation of epoxides is common in biomimetic reactions and they may represent a safety risk in medicinal products due to their high reactivity. This study may serve as a basis for subsequent pharmacological and toxicological studies that investigate the presence of these compounds as phase I metabolites, and ensure the safe use of plant products containing orientin as a chemical marker.

Hazard assessment of Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf. for selected endpoints using a battery of in vitro tests

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf is a medicinal and wild food plant growing mainly in east Africa. Especially its root tuber is widely used in traditional medicine to treat several infectious and chronic diseases but also in some toxicity implications like use as abortifacient.

AIM OF THE STUDY

the present study applied in silico and in vitro tests to identify possible hazards of M. subcordata (fruit, leaf, root, seed) methanol extracts focussing on developmental toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ames test, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) assay, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) assay, embryonic stem cell test (EST), and zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET) were employed. Besides, a Derek Nexus toxicity prediction was performed on candidate structures obtained from metabolomics profiling of the extracts using liquid chromatography coupled to multistage mass spectroscopy (LC/MSⁿ) and a MAGMa software based structural annotation.

RESULTS

Glucosinolates, which degrade to isothiocyanates, and biogenic amines were among the candidate molecules identified in the extracts by LC/MSⁿ - MAGMa software structural annotation. Isothiocyanates and some other candidate molecules suggested a positive mutagenicity alert in Derek toxicity predictions. All the extracts showed negative mutagenicity in the Ames test. However, the Derek predictions also identified endocrine and developmental toxicity as possible endpoints of concern. This was further assessed using in vitro tests. Results obtained reveal that leaf extract shows AhR and ERα agonist activities, inhibited differentiation of ES-D3 stem cells into contracting cardiomyocytes in the EST (p < 0.001) as well as inhibited hatching (p < 0.01) and showed acute toxicity (p < 0.01) in the ZET. Also, the fruit extract showed toxicity (p < 0.05) towards zebrafish embryos and both fruit and seed extracts showed AhR agonist activities while root extract was devoid of activity in all in vitro assays.

CONCLUSION

The leaf extract tests positive in in vitro tests that may point towards a developmental toxicity hazard. The current evaluations did not raise concerns of genotoxicity or developmental toxicity for the fruit, seed and root extracts. This is important given the use of especially these parts of M. subcordata, in traditional medicine and/or as (famine) food.

Contaminants: a dark side of food supplements?

Food supplements (FS) are often consumed as one of the strategies to fight ageing-associated pathologies, especially in the case of oxidative stress-related diseases. Despite the popularity of FS, some concerns about their quality and safety have been raised, especially regarding the presence of contaminants. This paper reviews and discusses the occurrence of contaminants in marketed samples of FS in the last two decades, considering both scientific literature and notifications registered on RASFF portal. The most relevant classes of contaminants were included namely metals, toxins, pesticides, dioxins and PCBs, as well as pharmacologically active ingredients. Variable amounts of contaminants were reported in a significant number of commercially available FS. Although the presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that their levels exceed the regulatory limits or that the FS intake constitutes a risk to human health, it alerts for the need to further monitor FS safety. The evaluation of the risk associated to the consumption of FS, especially in the elderly population, is particularly challenging due to the frequent exposure to multiple toxicants and to different exposure sources, as well as due to possible pre-existing diseases and respective therapeutics. Therefore, improved quality control procedures and monitoring programs should be pursued in order to avoid undesirable products and assure the safety of FS.

Risk assessment of intake of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from herbal teas and medicines following realistic exposure scenarios

In this study five types of herbal teas were used to quantify the effect of comminution of the leaves on resulting PA exposure. Results show that PA levels extracted from intact leaves were consistently lower than from comminuted tea leaves. The Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach was applied to evaluate the consequences of this difference for the associated risks in the scenario of lifetime exposure. Furthermore, we considered medicinal use of these teas for shorter-than-lifetime exposure scenarios, and also analysed the risks of shorter-than-lifetime use of eight herbal medicines and 19 previously analysed plant food supplements. This analysis revealed that shorter-than-lifetime use resulted in MOE values < 10,000 upon use for 40-3450 weeks during a lifetime, with for only a limited number of herbal teas and medicines use of two weeks a year (150 weeks during a 75 year lifetime) would still raise a concern. It is concluded that taking more realistic conditions into account markedly reduces the concerns raised for these herbal preparations. These results also illustrate the need for development of a generally accepted method for taking short term exposure into account in risk assessment of compounds that are genotoxic and carcinogenic.

Phytochemical Content of Melissa officinalis L. Herbal Preparations Appropriate for Consumption

Melissa Officinalis L. (MOL) domestic preparations appropriate for consumption were studied by monitoring content in Na, K, Ca, Li, phenolic bioactives (total phenols, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonols), and antioxidant activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition (DPPH) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)). The effects of practice applied, material to solvent ratio, time of preparation, and solvent were studied. MOL decoctions and infusions, commonly prepared at home, were better or of equal nutritional value to preparations upon ultrasounds or maceration concerning the studied parameters. Aqueous MOL preparations were richer in total phenols (704–1949 mg per 250 mL) and the examined macroelements (1.1–2.9, 30.5–288.4 and 50.1–176.1 mg Na, K and Ca per 250 mL, respectively) and showed better antioxidant activity compared to ethanol counterparts. The 25% w/v hydroethanolic MOL preparations, suitable for consumption, presented a significant content in phenolic antioxidants and in the examined minerals, too. MOL infusions were significantly richer in total phenols with respective chamomile and olive leaf ones, comparatively examined. Overall acceptance scores of aqueous MOL preparations indicated that bitterness has to be masked for efficient reception by the consumers.

A Tiered Approach for the Evaluation of the Safety of Botanicals Used as Dietary Supplements: An Industry Strategy

Exposure to botanicals in dietary supplements is increasing across many geographies; with increased expectations from consumers, regulators, and industry stewards centered on quality and safety of these products. We present a tiered approach to assess the safety of botanicals, and an in silico decision tree to address toxicity data gaps. Tier 1 describes a Threshold of Toxicologic Concern (TTC) approach that can be used to assess the safety of conceptual levels of botanicals. Tier 2 is an approach to document a history of safe human use for botanical exposures higher than the TTC. An assessment of botanical-drug interaction (BDI) may also be necessary at this stage. Tier 3 involves botanical chemical constituent identification and safety assessment and the in silico approach as needed. Our novel approaches to identify potential hazards and establish safe human use levels for botanicals is cost and time efficient and minimizes reliance on animal testing.

A multi-detector chromatographic approach for characterization and quantitation of botanical constituents to enable in silico safety assessments

An approach has been developed to characterize the individual chemical constituents of botanicals. The challenge was to identify and quantitate the significant analytes in these complex mixtures, largely in the absence of authentic standards. The data-rich information content generated by this three-detector configuration was specifically intended to be used to conduct safety and/or quality evaluations for complex botanical mixtures, on a chemical constituent basis. The approach utilized a broad gradient UHPLC chromatographic separation. Following the chromatographic separation and UV detection, the eluent was split and sent into a charged aerosol detector (CAD), for quantitation, and a quadrupole/time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometer for component identification. The known bias of the otherwise universal CAD response, for organic solvent composition of the mobile phase, was compensated by the addition of an inverse gradient make-up stream. This approach and the orthogonal information content from the chromatography and three different detectors was specifically designed to enable in-silico safety assessments. These guide, minimize, or even eliminate the need for in vivo and in vitro safety assessments. The methodology was developed and demonstrated using standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba. Results from the development of this novel approach and the characterization example reported here demonstrate the suitability of this instrumental configuration for enabling in-silico safety assessments and proving general quality assessments of botanicals.

Natural occurrence of genotoxic and carcinogenic alkenylbenzenes in Indonesian jamu and evaluation of consumer risks

The consumer risks of jamu, Indonesian traditional herbal medicines, was assessed focussing on the presence of alkenylbenzene containing botanical ingredients. Twenty-three out of 25 samples contained alkenylbenzenes at levels ranging from 3.8 to 440 μg/kg, with methyleugenol being the most frequently encountered alkenylbenzene. The estimated daily intake (EDI) resulting from jamu consumption was estimated to amount to 0.2-171 μg/kg bw/day for individual alkenylbenzenes, to 0.9-203 μg/kg bw/day when adding up all alkenylbenzenes detected, and to 0.9-551 μg/kg bw/day when expressed in methyleugenol equivalents using interim relative potency (REP) factors. The margin of exposure (MOE) values obtained were generally <10,000 indicating a priority for risk management when assuming daily consumption during a lifetime. Using Haber's rule it was estimated that two weeks consumption of these jamu only once would not raise a concern (MOE >10,000). However, when considering use for two weeks every year during a lifetime, 5 samples still raise a concern. It is concluded that the consumption of alkenylbenzene containing jamu can be of concern especially when consumed on a daily basis for longer periods of time on a regular basis.

The PlantLIBRA consumer survey: Findings on the use of plant food supplements in Italy

Background

Food supplements, and in particular those containing botanicals (plant food supplements, PFS), have in recent decades been of great interest both to consumers and to food/pharmaceutical industries.

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to examine replies by Italian consumers to the PlantLIBRA consumers' survey in order to: 1) assess the behaviour of an Italian population with respect to the use of PFS, and to compare it with that of other 5 countries involved in the whole survey; 2) identify different habits in the 4 Italian cities selected according to their geographical distribution; 3) collect independent information on the actual intake of PFS and consumers' behaviour.

Subjects/setting

397 Italian consumers enrolled, 187 males (49.5%) and 191 female (50.5%). The distribution of subjects among the 4 cities included was: Milan 99; Venice 90; Rome 96 and Catania 96.

Results

The interest in PFS in Italy is high, the prevalence of "regular" consumers being 22.7%. Some differences were observed between the 4 cities involved: the pattern of use during the year was specific to each city; consumers in Milan reported reasons to use PFS significantly different from those in the whole Italian sample and did not indicate supermarkets as an important place of purchase; respondents from Rome and Catania more frequently used family doctors and pharmacists as a source of recommendation. Some significant difference among cities, sex and age groups were observed when the most frequently used botanicals were ranked.

Conclusions

The results provide new insights on the socio-economic characteristics and lifestyle of Italian PFS consumers, on their reasons for and pattern of use, and on their behaviour and expectations. The value of this information is not restricted to the specific country (Italy) but allows for a more general evaluation of the pattern of use, according to habits and geographical area.

Risk assessment of combined exposure to alkenylbenzenes through consumption of plant food supplements containing parsley and dill

A risk assessment was performed of parsley- and dill-based plant food supplements (PFS) containing apiol and related alkenylbenzenes. First, the levels of the alkenylbenzenes in the PFS and the resulting estimated daily intake (EDI) resulting from use of the PFS were quantified. Since most PFS appeared to contain more than one alkenylbenzene, a combined risk assessment was performed based on equal potency or using a so-called toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach based on toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for the different alkenylbenzenes. The EDIs resulting from daily PFS consumption amount to 0.74-125 µg kg^-1 bw for the individual alkenylbenzenes, 0.74-160 µg kg^-1 bw for the sum of the alkenylbenzenes, and 0.47-64 µg kg^-1 bw for the sum of alkenylbenzenes when expressed in safrole equivalents. The margins of exposure (MOEs) obtained were generally below 10,000, indicating a priority for risk management if the PFS were to be consumed on a daily basis. Considering short-term use of the PFS, MOEs would increase above 10,000, indicating low priority for risk management. It is concluded that alkenylbenzene intake through consumption of parsley- and dill-based PFS is only of concern when these PFS are used for long periods of time.

Critical review of methods for risk ranking of food-related hazards, based on risks for human health

This study aimed to critically review methods for ranking risks related to food safety and dietary hazards on the basis of their anticipated human health impacts. A literature review was performed to identify and characterize methods for risk ranking from the fields of food, environmental science and socio-economic sciences. The review used a predefined search protocol, and covered the bibliographic databases Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Web of Sciences, and PubMed over the period 1993-2013. All references deemed relevant, on the basis of predefined evaluation criteria, were included in the review, and the risk ranking method characterized. The methods were then clustered-based on their characteristics-into eleven method categories. These categories included: risk assessment, comparative risk assessment, risk ratio method, scoring method, cost of illness, health adjusted life years (HALY), multi-criteria decision analysis, risk matrix, flow charts/decision trees, stated preference techniques and expert synthesis. Method categories were described by their characteristics, weaknesses and strengths, data resources, and fields of applications. It was concluded there is no single best method for risk ranking. The method to be used should be selected on the basis of risk manager/assessor requirements, data availability, and the characteristics of the method. Recommendations for future use and application are provided.

Level of Alkenylbenzenes in Parsley and Dill Based Teas and Associated Risk Assessment Using the Margin of Exposure Approach

Risk assessment of parsley and dill based teas that contain alkenylbenzenes was performed. To this end the estimated daily intake (EDI) of alkenylbenzenes resulting from use of the teas was quantified. Since most teas appeared to contain more than one alkenylbenzene, a combined risk assessment was performed based on equal potency of all alkenylbenzenes or using a so-called toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach through defining toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for the different alkenylbenzenes. The EDI values resulting from consuming one cup of tea a day were 0.2-10.1 μg/kg bw for the individual alkenylbenzenes, 0.6-13.1 μg/kg bw for the sum of the alkenylbenzenes, and 0.3-10.7 μg safrole equiv/kg bw for the sum of alkenylbenzenes when expressed in safrole equivalents. The margin of exposure (MOE) values obtained were generally <10000, indicating a concern if the teas would be consumed on a daily basis over longer periods of time.

Resveratrol and health from a consumer perspective: perception, attitude, and adoption of a new functional ingredient

Resveratrol is an ingredient widely researched, with growing evidence of health-promoting effects. However, the reactions of supplement or food consumers to resveratrol has not been researched, and the ingredient is yet unknown to most consumers. We used respective literature and our own resveratrol consumer studies with Danish and U.S. consumers to look at current findings and future research directions for three questions. (1) Which factors determine consumer interest in a yet unknown functional ingredient such as resveratrol? (2) How should resveratrol be marketed as a new functional ingredient to be understood and favorably perceived? (3) What could be the effects of adoption of an ingredient such as resveratrol on the healthy lifestyle of a consumer? Literature and first results indicate that personal relevance and familiarity are crucial factors; however, consumers show little interest in resveratrol and lack relevant knowledge, especially in Denmark. Favorable attitudes were explained by health outcome expectations, use of complementary and alternative medicine, and interest in the indulgence dimension of food. Nonscientifically phrased communication led to more favorable attitudes in Danish consumers; scientifically phrased communication, though, made U.S. consumers more likely to retain favorable attitudes in the presence of contradictory evidence. We discuss future research directions in different cultural backgrounds and market contexts and for different foods.

The level of elements and antioxidant activity of commercial dietary supplement formulations based on edible mushrooms

Commercial preparations of Cordyceps sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum and Coprinus comatus mushroom marketed as healthy food supplements in Serbia were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace (GFAAS) for their element content. Antioxidant activity potential and total phenolics of the same mushrooms were determined. The element content of mushroom samples was in the range of 0.130-0.360 mg kg(-1) for lead (Pb), <0.03-0.46 mg kg(-1) for arsenic (As), 0.09-0.39 mg kg(-1) for cadmium (Cd), 98.14-989.18 mg kg(-1) for iron (Fe), 0.10-101.32 mg kg(-1) for nickel (Ni), 5.06-26.50 mg kg(-1) for copper (Cu), 0.20-0.70 mg kg(-1) for cobalt (Co), 1.74-136.33 mg kg(-1) for chromium (Cr) and 2.19-21.54 mg kg(-1) for manganese (Mn). In the tests for measuring the antioxidant activity, the methanolic extract of C. sinensis showed the best properties. The same was seen for the analysis of selected phenolic compounds; C. sinensis was found to have the highest content. Commercial preparations of C. sinensis and C. comatus can be considered to be safe and suitable food supplements included in well-balanced diets.

Resveratrol food supplements: a survey on the role of individual consumer characteristics in predicting the attitudes and adoption intentions of US American and Danish respondents

BACKGROUND

Consumers increasingly choose food supplements in addition to their diet. Research on supplement users finds they are likely to be female, older and well-educated; Furthermore, supplement users are often characterised as being especially health-oriented, an observation which is termed the 'inverse supplement hypothesis'. However, results are dependent on the substance in question. Little is known so far about botanicals in general, and more specifically, little is known about resveratrol. The psychographic variables of food supplement users are yet relatively underexplored. By comparing US and Danish respondents, we aimed to identify whether sociodemographic variables, health status, health beliefs and behaviour and interest in food aspects specifically relevant to resveratrol (e.g., naturalness, indulgence, and Mediterranean food) explain favourable attitudes and adoption intentions toward resveratrol supplements.

METHODS

A survey sent to a representative online panel in the United States and Denmark was analysed using linear regression.

RESULTS

We find that sociodemographic variables contribute little to explaining favourable attitudes toward and adoption intentions of resveratrol supplements, except for the negative association with higher education in the United States. The inverse supplement hypothesis was not confirmed. Belief in the favourable health effects of resveratrol and usage of complementary and alternative medicine positively affect attitudes and adoption intention. An interest in the indulgence dimension of food explains positive attitudes in the United States and adoption intentions in both countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that potential consumers of resveratrol supplements are identified by their usage of complementary and alternative medicine, rather than by sociodemographic variables. They are not characterised by especially healthy behaviours, which contradicts the inverse supplement hypothesis. Instead, potential consumers of resveratrol supplements may be characterised by their focus on the indulgence dimension of food.

Evaluation on genotoxicity and teratogenicity of aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves

Tremendous attentions have been attracted to the foods labeled with natural, green, organic, and nuisanceless conception of healthy diet. Therefore, it is of great significance to establish relative defining guidance for safe assessment of botanicals. Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinsk (family Cyclocaryaceae), called sweet tea tree, is a well-known edible and medicinal plant, which has been widely used in China as drug formulation for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Despite its benefits, no reports have been described on the safe assessment of C. paliurus leaves aqueous extract. In this study, we have conducted the genotoxicity assay (including Ames test, bone marrow polychromatic erythrocyte micronucleus test, and sperm abnormality test in mice) and traditional teratogenicity assay in rats (maternal toxicity, embryo toxicity, and teratogenicity test) to assess the genetic and teratogenic safety of aqueous extracts from C. paliurus leaves. Results of each assay show that the highest dose of C. paliurus leaves aqueous extract is considered relatively nonmutagenic and nonteratogenic, revealing that C. paliurus leaves possess safety and quality as a functional additional ingredient in food.

Aluminum and the human diet revisited

Concerns about aluminum (Al) exposure in the human diet have persisted for one century. We suggest that continued research would benefit from better reporting of environmental factors that are known to influence Al accumulation in plant organs that are consumed, focusing on subsets of the general public that exhibit the highest risk for neuropathological responses, increased evaluation of commercial processing procedures that may concentrate Al or other toxic substances, and designing studies with low dose, chronic exposure rather than further study of acute, brief exposure.

Research and development for botanical products in medicinals and food supplements market

Botanical products sold in the health area are generally intended as drugs, medicinal products, food supplements or substances for therapeutic use. Use of botanicals for improving or to care human health has evolved independently in different countries worldwide. Regulatory issues regarding botanical products designed for the food supplements or medicinal market and their influence on research and development are discussed. European Union (EU) and United States (US) policies regulating these products are focused with comments on the legislations delivered during the last ten years and differences existing in rules between these countries are emphasized. Research and development on botanical products nowdays strongly influenced by the product destination in the market. Addressed and differentiated research for either food supplements or medicinal markets is necessary to purchase data really useful for assessment of safe and effective use for both the categories. The main objective is to catalyze interest of academic and companies' researchers on crucial aspects to be taken into account in the research for the development of botanical products.

Toxicological aspects of the use of phenolic compounds in disease prevention

The consumption of a diet low in fat and enhanced by fruits and vegetables, especially rich in phenolic compounds, may reduce risks of many civilization diseases. The use of traditional medicines, mainly derived from plant sources, has become an attractive segment in the management of many lifestyle diseases. Concerning the application of dietary supplements (based on phenolic compounds) in common practice, the ongoing debate over possible adverse effects of certain nutrients and dosage levels is of great importance. Since dietary supplements are not classified as drugs, their potential toxicities and interactions have not been thoroughly evaluated. First, this review will introduce phenolic compounds as natural substances beneficial for human health. Second, the potential dual mode of action of flavonoids will be outlined. Third, potential deleterious impacts of phenolic compounds utilization will be discussed: pro-oxidant and estrogenic activities, cancerogenic potential, cytotoxic effects, apoptosis induction and flavonoid-drug interaction. Finally, future trends within the research field will be indicated.

Challenges of translating basic research into therapeutics: resveratrol as an example

Basic science literature abounds with molecules that promise to ameliorate almost any disease, from curing cancer to slowing the aging process itself. However, most of these compounds will never even be evaluated in humans, let alone proven effective. Here, we use resveratrol as an example to highlight the enormous difficulties in understanding pharmacokinetics, determining side effects, and, ultimately, establishing mechanisms of action for a natural compound. Despite extensive interest and effort, and continuing promising results from basic science groups, very little is known even today about the effects of resveratrol in humans. Part of the problem is the unattractiveness of natural compounds to large, well-funded companies that could run clinical trials because developing their own molecules affords much greater protection for their intellectual property. In fact, selling unpatentable material motivates smaller nutraceutical companies to complicate the scientific problem even more--each creates its own proprietary blend, making it extremely difficult to compare their data with those of other companies, or of academic labs using pure compounds. But even beyond these problems lies a deeper one; resveratrol, and almost every natural compound, is likely to have many clinically relevant targets with different dose-response profiles, tissue distributions, and modifiers. Tackling this type of problem efficiently, and even beginning to address the spectrum of other molecules with claimed benefits, is likely to require the development of new paradigms and approaches. Examples include better molecular modeling to predict interactions, large-scale screens for toxic or other common effects, affinity-based methods to identify drug-interacting proteins, and better synthesis of existing data, including legislation to promote the release of trial results, and tracking of voluntary supplement usage. The evidence for benefits of resveratrol in humans remains too sparse to be conclusive; yet, the limited data that are available, combined with a growing list of animal studies, provide a strong justification for further study.

[Food supplements on the domestic market in Hungary: nutritional assessment of the ingredients, risks and benefits, the role of food supplements in human nutrition]

Food supplements are foods that are concentrated sources of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals and other substances with a physiological or nutritional effect. Since joining to the European Union, the distribution of food supplements in Hungary has not been bound to pre-market authorisation; products can be placed to the market after a formal notification at the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Science. Distribution, ingredients, and all information on the label are determined by numerous regulations but at the same time, the lack of harmonized legislation at Community level may cause a lot of problems. In the second part of the review authors introduce the evaluation process of components from the point of view of nutritional and physiological effects and the possible role of food supplements in human nutrition.

Safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations used as ingredients in food supplements: testing an European Food Safety Authority-tiered approach

This article describes results obtained by testing the European Food Safety Authority-tiered guidance approach for safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations intended for use in food supplements. Main conclusions emerging are as follows. (i) Botanical ingredients must be identified by their scientific (binomial) name, in most cases down to the subspecies level or lower. (ii) Adequate characterization and description of the botanical parts and preparation methodology used is needed. Safety of a botanical ingredient cannot be assumed only relying on the long-term safe use of other preparations of the same botanical. (iii) Because of possible adulterations, misclassifications, replacements or falsifications, and restorations, establishment of adequate quality control is necessary. (iv) The strength of the evidence underlying concerns over a botanical ingredient should be included in the safety assessment. (v) The matrix effect should be taken into account in the safety assessment on a case-by-case basis. (vi) Adequate data and methods for appropriate exposure assessment are often missing. (vii) Safety regulations concerning toxic contaminants have to be complied with. The application of the guidance approach can result in the conclusion that safety can be presumed, that the botanical ingredient is of safety concern, or that further data are needed to assess safety.