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Monitoring of the amphetamine-like substances in dietary supplements by LC-PDA and LC–MS/MS

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Abstract

Recently, amphetamine-like substances derived from the β-phenylethylamine core structure have been detected in dietary supplements. Especially, β-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), an amphetamine isomer, has been found in dietary supplements labeled as containing Acacia rigidula. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration determined that BMPEA is not naturally present in food and does not meet the statutory definition of a dietary ingredient. In addition, BMPEA has been classified as a psychotropic drug in South Korea and a doping substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary supplements contained amphetamine and amphetamine-like substance, including β-phenylethylamine (β-PEA) and BMPEA using LC-PDA and LC–MS/MS. In 10 of 110 samples, illegally added compounds were detected in the following ranges; β-PEA 1.4–122.0 mg/g and BMPEA 4.7–37.6 mg/g. This study will contribute to enhancement of food safety in the South Korea.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2017 (17161MFDS062).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Hazardous Substances Team, Department of Food Safety Evaluation, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28159, Korea

    Jisuk Yun, Kisung Kwon, Jangduck Choi & Cheon-Ho Jo

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  1. Jisuk Yun
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  2. Kisung Kwon
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  4. Cheon-Ho Jo
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Correspondence to Cheon-Ho Jo.

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Yun, J., Kwon, K., Choi, J. et al. Monitoring of the amphetamine-like substances in dietary supplements by LC-PDA and LC–MS/MS. Food Sci Biotechnol 26, 1185–1190 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-017-0176-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-017-0176-1

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