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Curcuminoid Content and Safety‐Related Markers of Quality of Turmeric Dietary Supplements Sold in an Urban Retail Marketplace in the United States
Author(s) -
Skiba Meghan B.,
Luis Paula B.,
Alfafara Chelsea,
Billheimer Dean,
Schneider Claus,
Funk Janet L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201800143
Subject(s) - curcuminoid , business , food science , quality (philosophy) , traditional medicine , marketing , advertising , environmental health , curcuma , chemistry , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Scope Turmeric is a top selling dietary supplement (DS) in the United States with rapidly expanding usage. Therefore, turmeric DS formulations available for sale in an urban US retail marketplace are analyzed, and point of sale information is related to measures of quality relevant to safety. Methods and results Eighty‐seven unique turmeric DS are identified; a majority (94%) contained turmeric‐derived curcuminoid extracts (TD‐CE), which are combined with other bioactives in 47% of products, including piperine (24%), an additive that could alter the metabolism of concurrent medications. While curcuminoid content is within 80% of anticipated for a majority of products analyzed ( n = 35), curcuminoid composition (% curcumin) did not meet US Pharmacopeia (USP) criteria for TD‐CE in 59% and is suggestive of possible unlabeled use of synthetic curcumin in some. Lead content is associated with the inclusion of turmeric root and exceeded USP limits in one product. Residues of toxic class 1 or 2 solvents, which are not needed for TD‐CE isolation, are present in 71% of products, although quantified levels were within USP‐specified limits. Conclusion Assessment of turmeric DS quality at point of sale is difficult for consumers and may best be managed in partnership with knowledgeable healthcare professionals.