MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

15 pages, 6747 KB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Identification of Fresh and Processed Carica papaya Botanical Material: Using Synthetic DNA to Supplement Specificity Evaluation

by Rajesh Patel, Adam C. Faller, Tiffany Nguyen, Zheng Quan, Corey Eminger, Swetha Kaul, Ted Collins, Yanjun Zhang, Peter Chang, Gary Swanson and Zhengfei Lu

Foods 2023, 12(3), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12030530 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3780

Abstract

Several commercially important botanicals have a lack of diagnostic testing options that can quickly and unambiguously identify materials of different matrices. Real-time PCR can be a useful, orthogonal approach to identification for its exceptional specificity and sensitivity. Carica papaya L. is a species with a lack of available identification methods, and one which features two distinct commercially relevant matrices: fresh fruit and powdered fruit extract. In this study, we demonstrate the successful design and validation of a real-time PCR assay for detection of papaya DNA extracted from the two matrices. We also propose a technique that can be used during exclusivity panel construction, when genuine botanical samples are not available for certain species: substitution with synthetic DNA. We demonstrate the use of this material to complete a comprehensive specificity evaluation and confidently determine suitable C_t cutoff values. Further, we demonstrate how ddPCR can be used to determine the copy number of the target sequence in a set amount of genomic DNA, to which synthetic DNA samples can be corrected, and how it can verify specificity of the primers and probe. Through the presentation of successful assay validation for papaya detection, this work serves as a guideline for how to approach specificity evaluation when non-target botanical samples are difficult to obtain and otherwise may not have been included in the exclusivity panel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methods in Detecting Food Fraud and Food Authenticity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 725 KB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review on the Use of Herbal Dietary Supplements in the USA, Reasons for Their Use, and Review of Potential Hepatotoxicity

by Adnan Khan, Kashyap Chauhan, Heather Ross, Natalia Salinas Parra, John Magagna, Makala Wang, Patrick Zhu, Ryan Erwin and Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio

Livers 2022, 2(3), 119-138; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers2030011 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 17462

Abstract

Herbal and dietary supplement (HDS) use has grown exponentially in the United States. Unfortunately, the incidence of HDS-related liver injury has proportionally increased. Despite the potential for certain HDSs to cause clinically significant liver injury, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Recent efforts have been made to regulate HDSs but are far removed from the scrutiny of prescription medications. Scant literature exists on HDSs and their risks of causing liver injury. In this comprehensive review, we examine trends of HDS use in the United States and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) of certain HDSs. Finally, we review usage rates; benefits, if any; purported pathophysiology of DILI; and propensity for progression to fulminant hepatic failure of nine HDSs linked to clinically significant DILI. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5303 KB

Open AccessData Descriptor

Identification and Classification of the Tea Samples by Using Sensory Mechanism and Arduino UNO

by Amruta Patil, Mrinal Bachute and Ketan Kotecha

Inventions 2021, 6(4), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions6040094 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6484

Abstract

Tea is the most popular hot beverageworldwide. In 2020, the value of the global tea market was almost USD 200 billion, and is estimated to reach up to USD 318 billion by the year 2025. Tea has been included as part ofa regular diet for centuries because of its various health benefits. However, tea is acidic, and over-consumption causes heat problems, disturbance of the sleep cycle, tooth erosion, and low calcium absorption in the body. Strong tea concentration is very harmful and toxic. The safe consumption of tea should be guaranteed. The treatment applied in this research work is on sensory mechanisms and Arduino UNO. The objective of this paper is to find out community interest in a particular tea species and inform them about tea overdose.The acidity is mapped with tea taste in terms of strong, medium, and low flavors. Based on the data analysis, the results differentiatethe acidity level of black tea (pH: 3.89–4.08) as very high, green tea (pH: 4.68–4.70) is in the 2nd position, and the energy drink Herbalife Nutrition (pH: 5.59–5.64) is the least acidic comparatively, with a proportion ratio 1:10 of tea to water. Experimental analysis reveals that in the additives, lemon is most acidic, followed byginger, lemongrass, and Tulasi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Inventions and Innovation in Design, Modeling and Computing Methods)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1619 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Hydrolysis Probe-Based qPCR Assays for Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius for Detection of Adulteration in Ginseng Herbal Products

by Prasad Kesanakurti, Subramanyam Ragupathy, Adam C. Faller, Dhivya Shanmughanandhan, Francesco Buongiorno, Isabella Della Noce, Zhengfei Lu, Yanjun Zhang and Steven G. Newmaster

Foods 2021, 10(11), 2705; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112705 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3319

Abstract

Authentication of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius products is important to be able to mitigate instances of adulteration and substitution that exist within the international supply chain of ginseng. To address this issue, species-specific hydrolysis probe qPCR assays were developed and validated for both P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius herbal dietary supplements. Performance of the probe-based assays was evaluated using analytical validation criteria, which included evaluation of: (1) specificity, in selectively identifying the target species; (2) sensitivity, in detecting the lowest amount of the target material; and (3) repeatability and reproducibility of the method in detecting the target species in raw materials on a real-time PCR platform (reliability). The species-specific probes were developed and successfully passed the validation criteria with 100% specificity, 80–120% efficiency and 100% reliability. The methods developed in this study are fit for purpose, rapid, and easy to implement in quality assurance programs; authentication of ginseng herbal supplements is possible, even with extracts where DNA is fragmented and of low quality and quantity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Detection of Food Fraud Using Analytical Methods)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 287 KB

Open AccessReview

Hepatotoxicity by Dietary Supplements: A Tabular Listing and Clinical Characteristics

by Miren García-Cortés, Mercedes Robles-Díaz, Aida Ortega-Alonso, Inmaculada Medina-Caliz and Raul J. Andrade

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(4), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17040537 - 9 Apr 2016

Cited by 124 | Viewed by 27747

Abstract

Dietary supplements (DS) are extensively consumed worldwide despite unproven efficacy. The true incidence of DS-induced liver injury (DSILI) is unknown but is probably under-diagnosed due to the general belief of safety of these products. Reported cases of herbals and DS-induced liver injury are increasing worldwide. The aim of this manuscript is to report a tabular listing with a description of DS associated with hepatotoxicity as well as review the phenotype and severity of DSILI. Natural remedies related to hepatotoxicity can be divided into herbal product-induced liver injury and DS-induced liver injury. In this article, we describe different DS associated with liver injury, some of them manufactured DS containing several ingredients (Herbalife™ products, Hydroxycut™, LipoKinetix™, UCP-1 and OxyELITE™) while others have a single ingredient (green tea extract, linoleic acid, usnic acid, 1,3-Dimethylamylamine, vitamin A, Garcinia cambogia and ma huang). Additional DS containing some of the aforementioned ingredients implicated in liver injury are also covered. We have also included illicit androgenic anabolic steroids for bodybuilding in this work, as they are frequently sold under the denomination of DS despite being conventional drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug, Herb, and Dietary Supplement Hepatotoxicity)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Search Results (5)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI

Saved Queries

Search Filter Reset All

Years

Feature Papers

Subjects

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (5)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI