• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Nutraceuticals
    • Markets
    • Health
    • Jobs
    • Events
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Showcases
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Nutraceuticals
  • Markets
  • Health
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Showcases
  • Current & Past Issues
    Features
    Columns
    Editorials
    Digital Edition
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    eNewsletter
    Editorial Guidelines
    Top Features
    The Pet Health Boom: Supplement Growth Set to Build on Rapid Expansion

    (Re)Open for Business: China’s Strong Demand for Natural Products Spells Opportunity for U.S. Brands

    Review Finds No Causative Connection Between Dietary Supplements and Eating Disorders

    KA! Empathogenics: Creating Calm and Connectedness with Inspiration from Nature

    Moms Raise the Bar for Kids Supplements
    Breaking News
    Certifications, Approvals and Patents
    Exclusives
    Industry & Market News
    People
    Products
    Regulatory
    Glossary
    Research
    Supplier News
    Supplier Insights
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Verdure Sciences Receives Award for Sustainable, Ethical Turmeric Sourcing

    BGG Receives Patent for Saw Palmetto ID Method

    Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification

    Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion

    Verdure Sciences’ Boswellia Ingredient Receives USP Verification
    Exclusives
    Blogs & Guest Articles
    Health E-Insights
    Area Code 420
    eBook
    Antioxidants
    Dairy-Based Ingredients
    Enzymes
    Fatty Acids
    Fiber & Carbohydrates
    Green Foods
    Herbs & Botanicals
    Marine Nutraceuticals
    Minerals
    Omega 3s
    Probiotics & Prebiotics
    Proteins, Peptides, Amino Acids
    Sweeteners
    Vitamins

    Verdure Sciences Receives Award for Sustainable, Ethical Turmeric Sourcing

    BGG Receives Patent for Saw Palmetto ID Method

    ‘Uniquely Unbound’: Releasing the Potential, and Genius, of Walnuts

    Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion

    Verdure Sciences’ Boswellia Ingredient Receives USP Verification
    Consumer Trends
    Contract Manufacturing
    Cosmeceuticals / Nutricosmetics
    Delivery & Dosage Technologies
    Dietary Supplements
    Flavors & Colors
    Functional Foods & Beverages
    Healthcare Trends
    Medical Nutrition
    Mergers & Acquisitions
    Natural/Organic
    Nutrition Bars
    Packaging
    Pet Nutraceuticals
    Quality & Safety
    Regulations
    Research
    Testing
    World Markets

    Verdure Sciences Receives Award for Sustainable, Ethical Turmeric Sourcing

    BGG Receives Patent for Saw Palmetto ID Method

    The Pet Health Boom: Supplement Growth Set to Build on Rapid Expansion

    ‘Uniquely Unbound’: Releasing the Potential, and Genius, of Walnuts

    Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification
    Bone & Joint Health
    Cancer Risk
    Cardiovascular Health
    Cognitive Function
    Diabetes & Blood Sugar Management
    Digestive Health
    Energy
    Eye Health
    Healthy Aging
    Immune Function
    Infant & Children's Health
    Inflammation
    Men's Health
    Mood Health & Sleep
    Oral Health
    Sexual & Reproductive Health
    Skin Health
    Sports Nutrition
    Weight Management/Weight Loss
    Women's Health

    ‘Uniquely Unbound’: Releasing the Potential, and Genius, of Walnuts

    Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion

    Gaming and Esports Health Concerns

    Bioiberica’s DAOgest Authorized as Novel Food ingredient in EU

    Review Finds No Causative Connection Between Dietary Supplements and Eating Disorders
    Industry Events
    Live From Show Events
    Webinars
    All Companies
    Categories
    Trade Associations
    Company Capabilities
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Botanic Healthcare LLC

    Gencor

    Xsto Solutions

    Verdure Sciences

    JRS Pharma
    Companies
    Product Releases
    News Releases
    Literature / Brochures
    White Papers
    Jobs
    VIdeos
    Services
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Botanic Healthcare LLC

    Gencor

    Xsto Solutions

    Verdure Sciences

    JRS Pharma
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issue
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Trade Associations
      • Company Capabilities
    • Nutraceuticals
      • Antioxidants
      • Dairy-Based Ingredients
      • Enzymes
      • Fatty Acids
      • Fiber & Carbohydrates
      • Green Foods
      • Herbs & Botanicals
      • Marine Nutraceuticals
      • Minerals
      • Omega 3s
      • Probiotics & Prebiotics
      • Proteins, Peptides, Amino Acids
      • Sweeteners
      • Vitamins
    • Markets
      • Consumer Trends
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Cosmeceuticals / Nutricosmetics
      • Delivery & Dosage Technologies
      • Dietary Supplements
      • Flavors & Colors
      • Functional Foods & Beverages
      • Healthcare Trends
      • Medical Nutrition
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Natural/Organic
      • Nutrition Bars
      • Packaging
      • Pet Nutraceuticals
      • Quality & Safety
      • Regulations
      • Research
      • Testing
      • World Markets
    • Health
      • Bone & Joint Health
      • Cancer Risk
      • Cardiovascular Health
      • Cognitive Function
      • Diabetes & Blood Sugar Management
      • Digestive Health
      • Energy
      • Eye Health
      • Healthy Aging
      • Immune Function
      • Infant & Children's Health
      • Inflammation
      • Men's Health
      • Mood Health & Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Sexual & Reproductive Health
      • Skin Health
      • Sports Nutrition
      • Weight Management/Weight Loss
      • Women's Health
    • Online Exclusives
    • Webinars
    • Slideshows
    • Blogs & Guest Articles
    • Health E-Insights
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • eBook
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • TrendSense
      • Monograph Center
      • White Papers
      • Research News
    • Jobs
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Supplier Showcases
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • News Releases
      • Literature / Brochures
      • White Papers
      • Jobs
      • VIdeos
      • Services
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    AOAC Approves Official Methods for Aloin & Theanine

    International scientific association continues to work through “priority” list of dietary ingredients.

    AOAC Approves Official  Methods for Aloin & Theanine
    Richard A. Lovett, JD, PhD, Contributing Writer11.01.16
    At a meeting in Rockville, MD, on Aug. 2, an expert panel convened by AOAC International approved “First Action” official methods for two more chemicals of interest to the supplement industry: aloin and theanine.

    For several years, AOAC has been working through a list of “priority” dietary supplement ingredients selected by a stakeholder panel made up of representatives of industry, government and academia, with funding from NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements (“Ingredient Authentication in the Lab,” January/February 2016).

    Earlier this year, an AOAC expert review panel approved a method for measuring the chondroitin content of chondroitin-containing products and ingredients (“Standards Development in Analytical Testing,” July/August 2016). Now, aloin and theanine have joined the list of priority ingredients with newly approved official methods, each evaluated and approved to meet standards set through AOAC’s stakeholder process.

    Aloe Vera’s Aloin
    Aloin is an anthrone compound contained in aloe vera leaves.

    “The reason it’s important is that there are several different products that come from the aloe vera plant,” said Steven Dentali, PhD, a botanical industry consultant and former Herbalife research fellow who, working with Herbalife, spearheaded the effort to get a method approved.

    In ancient times, one of these products was the plant’s dried sap, which was used as a laxative—something particularly prized at the time, Dr. Dentali said, because “people generally didn’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.”

    Researchers now understand that aloe’s laxative ingredient is aloin, which is contained in the green rind of the plant’s thick leaves.

    Today, however, the $1.6 billion aloe vera industry is primarily focused more on soothing beverages made from the leaves’ interior juice. For these, aloin is an unwanted contaminant. After all, who wants a laxative they don’t need? Also, a 2013 study by the National Toxicology Program found that long-term exposure to whole-leaf aloe vera extracts (ones that contain both the interior juice and sap from the aloin-containing rind) can cause cancer in rats.

    Not that anyone deliberately uses whole-leaf aloe vera for aloe juice beverages. “This is something that virtually nobody ingests,” Dr. Dentali said.

    Instead, the industry has two basic methods for avoiding aloin contamination in beverages. One is by mechanically stripping off the leaves’ outer rind so that only juice from the inner leaf is included in the beverage. “What’s left is this fillet—almost like a fish fillet—of inner-leaf material that is then crushed and processed into juice,” Dr. Dentali explained.

    The other process begins by grinding up the entire leaf. “This gives you a green goop,” he noted—a mixture that is then “decolorized” via purification processes such as filtrating with activated charcoal. The material used by NTP was described as non-decolorized. “We think that’s an important qualifier because virtually all material in the marketplace is decolorized,” he added. “It’s important to call out that this is not the same product.”

    Still, that doesn’t mean it’s unimportant to be able to prove that aloin isn’t present in products that claim to be aloin-free.

    The newly approved method isn’t particularly exotic. “It’s just HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography),” said Dr. Dentali, adding that it was developed and submitted to AOAC by colleagues within Herbalife, Los Angeles, CA. “It’s not a difficult method to run.” What matters is that it’s been officially approved by AOAC, whose official methods are often viewed as the gold standard for analysts all over the world.

    Jane Wilson, executive director of the International Aloe Science Council, Silver Spring, MD, agreed. “It is good for us to have a recognized assay to demonstrate the safety of these products,” she said, adding that it is also helpful that AOAC’s stakeholders include people from regulatory agencies. That gives the regulators direct input, she said, producing “greater regulatory acceptance” of the outcome.

    Additionally, the “International” part of AOAC International’s name is also significant. “Our organization has membership around the world,” Ms. Wilson said, “so having something being a recognized international method is a benefit.”

    Finally, the method is approved for both finished products and raw materials, she added, which ensures that testing will be consistent throughout the production chain.

    From a technical perspective, the method has a detection limit of 10 ppb, and a limit of quantitation of 20 ppb—vastly lower than anything that might be of concern for safety, according to Gary Swanson, senior vice president for global quality at Herbalife.

    “We’re not talking about a highly toxic material,” Dr. Dentali said. “We’re talking about something that’s safe as a laxative, but you won’t want to consume on a daily basis.”

    What’s truly important, according to Darryl Sullivan, director of industry and regulatory affairs at Covance Laboratories, is that the newly approved method represents the first time the industry has had an official method of analysis to measure the quality of aloe vera products.

    “It gives us the ability to do better quality control, [and] to demonstrate the quality of aloe in products that are very common in the marketplace today,” he said. Better yet, he added, its approval as an AOAC Official Method makes it now globally recognized as the “gold standard” test method for this analyte.

    Theanine in Tea Leaves
    Theanine is a different chemical altogether. Present in dry tea leaves at levels up to 4%, it’s an amino acid thought to reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration and help generate a state of relaxed wakefulness that can stimulate creativity. So theanine is a beneficial compound, rather than a contaminant to be eliminated.

    In tea, it’s not only responsible for part of the flavor, but may combine with the alertness effects of tea’s caffeine to offer both focus and calm, according to Maria Ofitserova, PhD, a senior research chemist with Pickering Laboratories, Mountain View, CA.

    Theanine is also available in a wide variety of dietary supplements. “They come in different forms: tablets, capsules, gel caps, powders—a lot of things,” Dr. Ofitserova said. “Some primarily contain tea, while others include additional botanical ingredients plus vitamins, etc. They go from being simple dry extracts of tea to very complex mixtures.”

    Having an approved method for detection of theanine in such products, she continued, not only makes it easier for supplement manufacturers to declare with confidence the amount contained in their products—something that Dr. Ofitserova’s tests reveal to vary by a factor of more than 100—but also helps scientists seeking to determine the benefits of this compound to know how much theanine is in any given product they choose to test.

    “If you would like to claim the benefit of theanine in your [product] it would be good to actually know how much is in [it],” and without the help of AOAC’s stakeholder process, it would never have happened, Dr. Ofitserova said. “That’s for sure.”

    What Comes Next?
    Both the aloin and theanine methods are “First Action” methods. That makes them fully official, but still subject to tweaking, as labs across the world report their experience with them. Once that has been done, the methods will be promoted to “Final Action” status. And even before that, they will be included in AOAC’s Official Methods of Analysis book, which “is in practically every chemical analysis laboratory in the world,” Dr. Dentali said.
    Related Searches
    • Proteins, Peptides, Amino Acids
    • Dietary Supplements
    • Quality & Safety
    • Regulations
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Proteins, Peptides, Amino Acids
    • Herbs & Botanicals
    • Testing
    • Dietary Supplements
    • Regulations
    • Quality & Safety
    Suggested For You
    CBD and Pet Health: Wellness for Our Four-Legged Friends CBD and Pet Health: Wellness for Our Four-Legged Friends
    Select Immune Supplements On Amazon Fail to Meet Label Specifications Select Immune Supplements On Amazon Fail to Meet Label Specifications
    Ingestible Beauty Arrives in China Ingestible Beauty Arrives in China
    Digestive, Gut Health Solutions Offer Downstream Benefits Digestive, Gut Health Solutions Offer Downstream Benefits
    Desert Harvest Commits to Phasing Out Plastic Bottles for All Supplements Desert Harvest Commits to Phasing Out Plastic Bottles for All Supplements
    Unigen Launches Immune, Respiratory Health Ingredients Unigen Launches Immune, Respiratory Health Ingredients
    Beauty Ingredient Formulation Directory Fall 2021 Beauty Ingredient Formulation Directory Fall 2021
    Natural Products Association Joins Coalition for Accurate Product Labels Natural Products Association Joins Coalition for Accurate Product Labels
    Mixed Carotenoid Supplement May Help Obese Children Mixed Carotenoid Supplement May Help Obese Children
    State of the Industry Update & Outlook for 2017 State of the Industry Update & Outlook for 2017
    Herbalife Nutrition Reveals CEO Transition Plan Herbalife Nutrition Reveals CEO Transition Plan
    FDA Extends NDI Guidance Comment Deadline FDA Extends NDI Guidance Comment Deadline
    Industry Leaders Collaborate to Develop Supplement Registry Industry Leaders Collaborate to Develop Supplement Registry
    Sabinsa to Highlight Recent Studies, New Canadian Health Claims Sabinsa to Highlight Recent Studies, New Canadian Health Claims
    Herbalife Reaches Settlement with FTC for $200 Million Herbalife Reaches Settlement with FTC for $200 Million

    Related Features

    • Consumer Trends | Healthcare Trends | Natural/Organic | Pet Nutraceuticals
      CBD and Pet Health: Wellness for Our Four-Legged Friends

      CBD and Pet Health: Wellness for Our Four-Legged Friends

      Health and wellness are reasons behind the popularity of CBD-containing tinctures, treats, and topicals designed for dogs and cats.
      By Christine Esposito, Managing Editor, Happi 04.13.23

    • Herbs & Botanicals | Immune Function | Quality & Safety | Testing | Vitamins
      Select Immune Supplements On Amazon Fail to Meet Label Specifications

      Select Immune Supplements On Amazon Fail to Meet Label Specifications

      Testing found only about a third of labels for featured products making immune health claims accurately reflected product contents.
      By Mike Montemarano, Associate Editor 09.15.22

    • Consumer Trends | Cosmeceuticals / Nutricosmetics | Healthcare Trends | Minerals | Regulations | Skin Health | Vitamins | World Markets
      Ingestible Beauty Arrives in China

      Ingestible Beauty Arrives in China

      Demand soars as regulations become clearer and younger consumers have an appetite for tablets, capsules, and drinks.
      By Ally Dai, Contributing Writer 09.01.22


    • Cardiovascular Health | Dietary Supplements | Digestive Health | Herbs & Botanicals | Minerals | Probiotics & Prebiotics
      Digestive, Gut Health Solutions Offer Downstream Benefits

      Digestive, Gut Health Solutions Offer Downstream Benefits

      Unique ingredients and understanding of their mechanisms can help formulators deliver products that address numerous pain points.
      By Sean Moloughney, Editor 04.14.22

    • Breaking News | Consumer Trends | Contract Manufacturing | Dietary Supplements | Herbs & Botanicals | Industry & Market News | Packaging
      Desert Harvest Commits to Phasing Out Plastic Bottles for All Supplements

      Desert Harvest Commits to Phasing Out Plastic Bottles for All Supplements

      The company will transition to a system of compostable, plant-based bags and offer consumers Bluetooth-enabled smart bottles.
      By Mike Montemarano, Associate Editor 03.29.22

    Loading, Please Wait..
    Trending
    • Soviets Took Probiotics To The Next Level
    Breaking News
    • Verdure Sciences Receives Award for Sustainable, Ethical Turmeric Sourcing
    • BGG Receives Patent for Saw Palmetto ID Method
    • Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification
    • Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion
    • Verdure Sciences’ Boswellia Ingredient Receives USP Verification
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    May 2023

    • Cellular Aging and Longevity: Ingredients for a New Age of Health
    • Addressing the Plastic-Packaging Problem: Getting to Zero-Waste with Zero Compromise
    • Moms Raise the Bar for Kids Supplements
    • Building on Steps to Improve Children’s Health Around the World
    • FDA Remains Focused on Modernizing DSHEA
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Verdure Sciences Receives Award for Sustainable, Ethical Turmeric Sourcing
    BGG Receives Patent for Saw Palmetto ID Method
    Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Strong Start to the Year for Jotun
    Boeing Starts Construction on New St. Louis Facility
    Brand Finance: Post-COVID Recovery Slows for Chemicals Industry Battling Energy Crisis
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    CareDx, Miromatrix Collaborate on Bioengineered Organs Research
    Capitainer Releases to Market its Fully Automated Sample Handler
    Titan Medical Licenses Most IP to Intuitive; CEO Steps Down
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    AVROBIO Sells Cystinosis Gene Therapy for $87.5 Million
    Meiji Seika Pharma, Adcock Ingram Pharma Complete Construction of New Manufacturing Facility
    JSR Life Sciences Consolidates KBI Biopharma and Selexis SA
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Unilever Uses AI for Product Development
    Beautycounter Names New Interim CEO
    Shaz & Kiks Available at Sephora
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Garnier Introduces Limited Edition Micellar Cleansing Water Duo for Pride Month
    Covergirl Introduces Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Collection
    Shaz and Kiks Launches at Sephora
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    ACTEGA, Makro Labelling to Advance Signite Technology
    BCF Requests Greater Urgency on REACH Impasse
    Updated Method Published for Entire BASF Product Portfolio
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    ACTEGA teams with Makro Labelling to advance Signite technology
    Constantia Flexibles and SB Packagings commence joint venture
    Inland donates new VersaStudio printer to local high school
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Mann+Hummel Names President Air Filtration Americas
    KNH Launches Eco-Friendly Menstrual Pads
    Niine Introduces India's First PLA-Based Sanitary Pads
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Enrollment Completed in Anika Therapeutics' Hyalofast Study
    Exactech Releases Next-Gen GPS Shoulder
    Data Shows Favorable Survivorship of MISHA Knee System & Reduction of Arthroplasty Risk in Patients
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Ambiq Receives 2023 Bronze Stevie Award
    onsemi Presents Path to Accelerate Revenue Growth
    STMicroelectronics Introduces Waterproof MEMS Pressure Sensor

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login