After conducting identity testing on a range of mushrooms and botanicals, Alkemist Labs has identified the top 20 nutraceuticals that are most likely to be adulterated or contaminated.
This follows the company's list from the first half of 2024, as the research team wanted to determine if any changes had been made.
By testing powdered, whole form and liquid samples — as well as finished proudcts and blends — with HPTLC, Alkemist Labs found that these ingredients should be stringently tested and checked:
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)
- Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
- Tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
- Reshi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum)]
- Lion's mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus)
- Acerola (Malpighia sp.)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
- Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii)
- Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
- Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
- Grape (Vitis vinifera)
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Repeat offenders from early 2024
The list above depicts the products that Alkemist's clients in the manufacturing space are testing before they are incorporated into both ingredients and finished products.
Notably, 30% of the botanicals tested in early 2024 were still flagged during identity testing, including lion's mane, lemon balm, ashwagandha, stevia, monk fruit and rhodiola.
However, the elderberry, which was top of the list in early 2024, didn't feature this quarter, suggesting that suppliers may be more stringently checking these particular ingredients following the report in June.
Alkemist Labs' Director of Sales and Marketing, Petra Erlandson, commented: “We share this information with the industry so companies can be more vigilant,”
“Additionally, we think it’s important that those sourcing raw material familiarise themselves with the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) and its tools, allowing them to develop a policy for handing serious quality issues in advance.”