Method for the Determination of Lycopene in Supplements and Raw Material by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography: Single-Laboratory Validation

A single-laboratory validation study was conducted for a liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of total and all-trans-lycopene in a variety of dietary supplements and raw materials. Gelatin-based and other water-dispersible beadlets, or tablets, capsules, and softgels containing such product forms, were digested with protease. Alginate formulations and the respective applications were treated with an alkaline sodium EDTA acetate buffer to release lycopene from the matrix. Lycopene and other carotenoids were extracted from the resulting aqueous suspensions with dichloromethane and ethanol. Oily product forms were directly dissolved in dichloromethane and ethanol. The extracts were chromatographed on an isocratic high-performance LC system using a C16 alkylamide modified silica column that provided satisfactory resolution of all-trans-lycopene from its predominant cis-isomers and separated the lycopene isomers from other carotenoids such as - and -carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The within-day precision relative standard deviation (RSD) for the determination of total lycopene ranged from 0.9 to 5.7 over concentration ranges of 50200 g/kg for raw materials and 0.324 g/kg for dietary supplements. The intermediate precision RSD (total RSD) ranged from 0.8 to 8.9. Recoveries obtained for beadlet and tablet material for the different extraction variants ranged from 95.0 to 102.1 at levels of 0.0220 g/kg for tablets and from 95.0 to 101.1 at levels of 1200 g/kg for beadlet material.

Method for the Determination of β-Carotene in Supplements and Raw Materials by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography: Single Laboratory Validation

A single laboratory validation (SLV) study was conducted for a liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of total and all-trans-β-carotene in a variety of dietary supplements, including multivitamin tablets, softgels, capsules, and beadlet raw materials. Extraction variants were developed for the different types of supplements tested based upon the supplement type and level of β-carotene. Water dispersible formulations such as powders, emulsions, tablets, and capsules were enzymatically digested with protease and extracted with dichloromethane–ethanol. Oily suspensions were directly dissolved in dichloromethane–ethanol. After appropriate dilution or concentration, the extracts were chromatographed by using either a reversed-phase C18 column or, in products containing high amounts of α-carotene, a reversed-phase C30 column. The LC systems provided linear responses in the range of 0.1–50 μg β-carotene/mL. The main geometrical isomers of β-carotene (all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis, and 15-cis) were well separated from each other and from other carotenoids such as α-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Duplicate determinations of total β-carotene performed by 2 technicians in 8 different test materials on 5 different days resulted in relative standard deviations of 1.2–4.4%. Recoveries determined for supplements and beadlet raw material spiked with β-carotene levels of 10 μg to 100 mg/test portion and 0.2–40%, respectively, ranged from 97.5 to 102.1%. On the basis of the accuracy, precision, and recovery results from the SLV study, the method is suggested for a collaborative study on the determination of total and all-trans-β-carotene in dietary supplements.

Evaluation of a Method to Determine Flavonol Aglycones in Ginkgo biloba Dietary Supplement Crude Materials and Finished Products by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study

An interlaboratory study was conducted for evaluation of a method to determine the flavonol aglycones quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin in Ginkgo biloba products. The method calculates total glycosides based on these aglycones formed after acid hydrolysis. Twelve matrixes were chosen for study by 12 collaborating laboratories in 2 countries. Test materials included crude leaf material, standardized dry powder extract, single and multiple entity finished products, ethanol and glycerol tinctures, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference materials (SRMs). Results from 11 laboratories were used for the final calculations. Eight of the 12 matrixes evaluated produced acceptable results for total flavonol glycosides, with HorRat scores ranging from 1.31 to 2.05; repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) from 1.46 to 4.14; and reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) from 4.67 to 9.69. These 8 matrixes consisted primarily of simple dosage forms (e.g., dry powder extracts, crude leaf samples, liquid extracts, and SRMs) and a single tablet product (Ginkgo Awareness). Four additional matrixes, consisting of 3 tablets and 1 soft gel product (Ginkgold, Ginkoba, Ginkogen, and Ginkgo Phytosome, respectively), showed greater total flavonol glycoside HorRat scores in comparison, ranging from 2.39 to 5.13, with RSDr values from 2.83 to 8.16, and RSDR values from 8.53 to 20.4. Based on the results presented here, the method is recommended for Official First Action for determination of total flavonol glycosides calculated from quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin in dry powder extracts, crude leaf material, liquid extracts, and a select finished product, Ginkgo Awareness.

Determination of Lycopene in Dietary Supplements and Raw Materials by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the interlaboratory performance of an LC method for lycopene in dietary supplements and the raw materials commonly used in their manufacture. Twelve laboratories from six countries agreed to participate in the study. Results from 10 laboratories were received and are reported. Five dietary supplements, including both tablets and a softgel capsule with a lycopene content ranging from 25 g to 25 mg per unit, and three raw materials, including gelatin-based beadlets, vegetarian beadlets, and a suspension in oil ranging from 5 to 20 lycopene, were analyzed as blind duplicates. In addition to the commercial products, two positive controls and a negative control were included in the study. For the raw materials studied, the repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 1.49 to 5.13 for total lycopene, and the reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 3.84 to 9.21 with HorRat values from 1.23 to 3.24. For finished products, the RSDr ranged from 1.31 to 4.62, RSDR from 4.28 to 10.5, and HorRat values from 0.79 to 2.07. Corresponding values for all-trans-lycopene were significantly higher. It is recommended that the method be considered for Official First Action for all-trans- and total lycopene in finished products and raw materials.

Determination of lycopene in dietary supplements and raw materials by high-performance liquid chromatography: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the interlaboratory performance of an LC method for lycopene in dietary supplements and the raw materials commonly used in their manufacture. Twelve laboratories from six countries agreed to participate in the study. Results from 10 laboratories were received and are reported. Five dietary supplements, including both tablets and a softgel capsule with a lycopene content ranging from 25 microg to 25 mg per unit, and three raw materials, including gelatin-based beadlets, vegetarian beadlets, and a suspension in oil ranging from 5 to 20% lycopene, were analyzed as blind duplicates. In addition to the commercial products, two positive controls and a negative control were included in the study. For the raw materials studied, the repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 1.49 to 5.13% for total lycopene, and the reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 3.84 to 9.21% with HorRat values from 1.23 to 3.24. For finished products, the RSDr ranged from 1.31 to 4.62%, RSDR from 4.28 to 10.5%, and HorRat values from 0.79 to 2.07. Corresponding values for all-trans-lycopene were significantly higher. It is recommended that the method be considered for Official First Action for all-trans- and total lycopene in finished products and raw materials.

Characterization of a suite of ginkgo-containing standard reference materials

A suite of three ginkgo-containing dietary supplement Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) has been issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with certified values for flavonoid aglycones, ginkgolides, bilobalide, and selected toxic trace elements. The materials represent a range of matrices (i.e., plant, extract, and finished product) that provide different analytical challenges. The constituents have been determined by at least two independent analytical methods with measurements performed by NIST and at least one collaborating laboratory. The methods utilized different extractions, chromatographic separations, modes of detection, and approaches to quantitation. The SRMs are primarily intended for method validation and for use as control materials to support the analysis of dietary supplements and related botanical materials.

Evaluation of a method to determine flavonol aglycones in Ginkgo biloba dietary supplement crude materials and finished products by high-performance liquid chromatography: collaborative study

An interlaboratory study was conducted for evaluation of a method to determine the flavonol aglycones quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin in Ginkgo biloba products. The method calculates total glycosides based on these aglycones formed after acid hydrolysis. Twelve matrixes were chosen for study by 12 collaborating laboratories in 2 countries. Test materials included crude leaf material, standardized dry powder extract, single and multiple entity finished products, ethanol and glycerol tinctures, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference materials (SRMs). Results from 11 laboratories were used for the final calculations. Eight of the 12 matrixes evaluated produced acceptable results for total flavonol glycosides, with HorRat scores ranging from 1.31 to 2.05; repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) from 1.46 to 4.14; and reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) from 4.67 to 9.69. These 8 matrixes consisted primarily of simple dosage forms (e.g., dry powder extracts, crude leaf samples, liquid extracts, and SRMs) and a single tablet product (Ginkgo Awareness). Four additional matrixes, consisting of 3 tablets and 1 soft gel product (Ginkgold, Ginkoba, Ginkogen, and Ginkgo Phytosome, respectively), showed greater total flavonol glycoside HorRat scores in comparison, ranging from 2.39 to 5.13, with RSDr values from 2.83 to 8.16, and RSDR values from 8.53 to 20.4. Based on the results presented here, the method is recommended for Official First Action for determination of total flavonol glycosides calculated from quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin in dry powder extracts, crude leaf material, liquid extracts, and a select finished product, Ginkgo Awareness.

Method for the determination of beta-carotene in supplements and raw materials by reversed-phase liquid chromatography: single laboratory validation

A single laboratory validation (SLV) study was conducted for a liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of total and all-trans-beta-carotene in a variety of dietary supplements, including multivitamin tablets, softgels, capsules, and beadlet raw materials. Extraction variants were developed for the different types of supplements tested based upon the supplement type and level of beta-carotene. Water dispersible formulations such as powders, emulsions, tablets, and capsules were enzymatically digested with protease and extracted with dichloromethane-ethanol. Oily suspensions were directly dissolved in dichloromethane-ethanol. After appropriate dilution or concentration, the extracts were chromatographed by using either a reversed-phase C18 column or, in products containing high amounts of alpha-carotene, a reversed-phase C30 column. The LC systems provided linear responses in the range of 0.1-50 microg beta-carotene/mL. The main geometrical isomers of beta-carotene (all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis, and 15-cis) were well separated from each other and from other carotenoids such as a-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Duplicate determinations of total beta-carotene performed by 2 technicians in 8 different test materials on 5 different days resulted in relative standard deviations of 1.2-4.4%. Recoveries determined for supplements and beadlet raw material spiked with beta-carotene levels of 10 microg to 100 mg/test portion and 0.2-40%, respectively, ranged from 97.5 to 102.1%. On the basis of the accuracy, precision, and recovery results from the SLV study, the method is suggested for a collaborative study on the determination of total and all-trans-beta-carotene in dietary supplements.

Stability-indicating assay for pivmecillinam hydrochloride and pivmecillinam hydrochloride capsules

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay has been developed for pivmecillinam hydrochloride and pivmecillinam hydrochloride capsules. The method separates five reported degradation products and a number of esterified, related compounds. The accuracy of this method is comparable to the published ultraviolet assay and the relative standard deviation of a series of six replicate assays was better than +/- 0.7%.

High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis of antibiotic susceptibility disks

The analysis of antibiotic susceptibility disks by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was investigated. Methods are presented for the potency determination of mecillinam, ampicillin, carbenicillin, and cephalothin alone and in various combinations. Good agreement between HPLC and microbiological data is observed for potency determinations with recoveries of greater than 95%. Relative standard deviations of lower than 2% are recorded for each HPLC method. HPLC methods offer improved accuracy and greater precision when compared to the standard microbiological methods of analysis for susceptibility disks.

Stability-indicating assay for mecillinam using high-pressure liquid chromatography

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for use as a stability-indicating assay for mecillinam. Seven related compounds and at least one unknown degradation product are well separated and easily determined. The accuracy of the method is in good agreement with the published UV assay and the precision of a series of seven replicate determinations is +/- 1.0% R.S.D.