A flow-injection mass spectrometry fingerprinting method for authentication and quality assessment of Scutellaria lateriflora-based dietary supplements

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011 Sep;401(5):1577-84. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-5246-2. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Abstract

Scutellaria lateriflora, commonly known as skullcap, is used as an ingredient in numerous herbal products. However, it has been occasionally adulterated/contaminated with Teucrium canadense and/or Teucrium chamaedrys, commonly known as germander, due to the morphological similarities between the two genera. The latter contains hepatotoxic diterpenes. Despite the potential hepatotoxicity introduced by germander contamination, analytical methodologies for the authentication and quality assessment of S. lateriflora-based dietary supplements have not been reported. In this study, a flow-injection/mass spectrometry fingerprinting method in combination with principal component analysis was used to survey S. lateriflora-based dietary supplements sold in the USA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Drug Contamination
  • Flow Injection Analysis / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Plant Components, Aerial / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / analysis*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Scutellaria / chemistry*
  • Teucrium / chemistry
  • United States

Substances

  • Plant Extracts