Tag Archives: antioxidants

Susanne Kuehne, Decernis
Food Fraud Quick Bites

The Root Causes Of A Botanical Fraud

By Susanne Kuehne
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Susanne Kuehne, Decernis
Eleuthero, Decernis
Find records of fraud such as those discussed in this column and more in the Food Fraud Database, owned and operated by Decernis, a Food Safety Tech advertiser. Image credit: Susanne Kuehne

Eleuthero root and root extract are used for herbal over-the-counter medicinal supplements with anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, energy boosting and antioxidant properties. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian Ginseng, can be adulterated by adding Eleuthero aerial parts, the use of alternate species of Eleutherococcus or by declaring Periploea sepium (Chinese Silk) as Eleuthero. Variances in nomenclature in different parts of the world contribute to adulteration and mislabeling. The use of correct Latin names and comparison to authentic botanical material, as well as analytical methods to authenticate Eleuthero, for example, DNA barcoding and spectrometric methods, help to avoid that fraudulent Eleuthero products show up in medicinal supplements.

Resource

  1. Coskun, S.H., and Brinckmann, J. (November 2021). “Adulteration of Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Root and its Extracts”. American Botanical Council.
Susanne Kuehne, Decernis
Food Fraud Quick Bites

Listen To Your Elder(berries)

By Susanne Kuehne
No Comments
Susanne Kuehne, Decernis

As a tasty source of Vitamin C, B6, antioxidants, iron and more, elderberries have been a growing part of the latest health, immune boosting and wellness trends. Currently, the demand exceeds the supply for elderberries. For the past four to five years, this growth in popularity has been inviting adulteration of elderberry with other dark berries such as blueberries, as well as dyes, black rice and other materials. According to the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program, such fraud can be detected by a variety of chromatographic methods.

Food fraud, elderberry
Find records of fraud such as those discussed in this column and more in the Food Fraud Database. Image credit: Susanne Kuehne.

Resource

  1. Schultz, H. (September 23, 2020) “Nature’s Way finds more evidence of widespread elderberry adulteration”. Nutra Ingredients-USA.