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Abstract
The number of online-purchased dietary supplements of diversified origin is exponentially increasing. Pomegranate seed oils (PSOs)—the main dietary source of conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA)—are available as dietary supplements via the Internet. PSO samples (n = 24) were purchased from Internet shops in Poland and China. Chromatographic techniques (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy [GC-MS] for fatty acids [FAs], liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for tocopherols, and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection for conjugated FAs) were used. The GC-MS method enabled the quantification of 45 FAs, which indicates its superiority to previously used methods. Argentometric liquid chromatography with pre-column mild alkaline hydrolysis for analysis of structural isomers of CLnA does not need preliminary derivatization into volatile compounds, which ensures the absence of artifacts and enables the analysis of the entire conjugated FA profile. PSO differed with tocopherols and FA profile. Some PSOs contained negligible amounts of CLnA, and because of that they did not meet the criteria of valuable, unadulterated nutraceuticals. Obtained results indicate that online purchased PSO shipped from distant places of origin could have been stored in inadequate conditions (temperature, humidity), which caused i.a. deterioration of oxidative quality. Unregulated online availability of dietary supplements of low oxidative quality and nutritive value as well as their intake may be a risk rather than a benefit for consumers. Argentometric liquid chromatography can be a simple, selective, and sensitive tool for screening of dietary supplements containing conjugated FAs and should be considered as an essential way of quality assurance.
Declaration of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Author contributions
Conceptualization, A.B. and M.B.; methodology, M.C.; software, A.B. and M.B.; validation, M.B. and M.C.; investigation, A.B., T.L., M.B., and E.T.; resources, T.L.; data curation, A.B. and M.B.; writing—original draft preparation, A.B. and M.B.; writing—review and editing, A.B., M.B., T.L. and M.C.; visualization, A.B. and M.B.; supervision, M.C.; project administration, A.B.; funding acquisition, T.L. and M.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Agnieszka Białek, PhD, DSc
Agnieszka Białek, PhD DSc, graduated in pharmaceutical studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy (pharmaceutical analytics speciality) of the Medical University of Warsaw in 2005. In 2012 she obtained a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences and in 2017 she obtained habilitation. Currently, she has been working as a Professor of the Institute at the Department of Animal Improvement and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Her scientific interests focus on the examination of the influence of different dietary factors (especially conjugated fatty acids) on health relate, especially the influence of conjugated fatty acids on breast cancer risk and the mechanisms of their action. She is interested in different analytical methods, especially chromatographic techniques. She has published over 50 scientific papers, and many conference abstracts.
Małgorzata Białek, PhD
Małgorzata Białek, a PhD of agricultural sciences, graduated of the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumption Sciences at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Currently, she works as an Assistant Professor at the Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences. Her scientific interests are focused on conjugated fatty acids (CLA and CLnA isomers) - a methods of analysis, metabolism and mechanisms of actions, both under physiological and pathological conditions. She is also working on assessment of the effects of dietary supplementation of both laboratory and farm animals with bioactive compounds (fish oil, pomegranate seed oil, carnosic acid, seleno-compounds, lycopene) on the lipids profile, enzyme activity, antioxidant status and content of the elements in selected tissues.
Tomasz Lepionka, PhD
Tomasz Lepionka, PhD graduated in pharmaceutical studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy (drug and food toxicology speciality) of the Medical University of Warsaw in 2014. After graduation, he worked at the Epidemiological Response Center of the Polish Armed Forces and began doctoral studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Warsaw. Since 2017, he has been employed as an Assistant in the Laboratory of Food Hygiene and Nutrition at the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Scientific interests relate to the area of testing the quality and the safety of use of plant raw materials, that can be included in commercially available dietary supplements. Also, he is interested in the examining of the epidemiology of non-infectious, diet-related metabolic diseases among officers of uniformed services in Poland and the impact of selected genetic factors on their occurrence.
Elżbieta Tober
Elżbieta Tober an experienced employee of Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences with many years of experience in working with animals, especially poultry and rabbits.
Marian Czauderna, PhD
Marian Czauderna, the professor with specialization in agriculture sciences, nominated by the President of the Republic of Polish. Currently, Marian Czauderna works as professor at the Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences (Jabłonna, Poland). His scientific activities are focused on steroid hormones, tocopherols, amino acids, highly unsaturated fatty acids and essential trace elements (especially Se, Cu and Zn), as well as chromatographic methods used for analyses of bioactive species in mammals tissues. Marian Czauderna devoted great effort to progress in the field of agricultural and fundamental microbiology as well as the physiology of nutrition of ruminants and monogastric animals. He has published over 200 original papers, and over 165 conference abstracts (oral or poster presentations). He has been a recipient of many research grants. Prof. Marian Czauderna has also academic teaching experience.