Development of analytical laboratory for detection of prohibited substances in nutritional supplements

Code: R15M02RC

This project will assist in establishing an analytical laboratory for testing nutritional supplements to detect prohibited substances such as steroids, stimulants and other performance-enhancing drugs. The project will provide the necessary financial assistance to fund a full time instrument technician for a period of one year and a contribution towards the cost of method validation and laboratory accreditation. The funding provided by this project will supplement a substantial, ongoing (LIVE) investment by the University of Hertfordshire to acquire state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.

Main findings

A simple and straightforward approach for determining MRPL for the detection and identification of prohibited substances in dietary supplements has been followed. A keyword search for recommended doses of prohibited substances was conducted, followed by the collection of recommended daily intake of a range of dietary supplements. These data were then used to calculate MRPL from which the limit of detection (LOD) for each prohibited substance was derived. The corresponding MRPL-derived LOD were found to be three orders of magnitude greater than those determined experimentally from the in-house, multiplex assay. From these data, it has been possible to estimate an LOD that would be anticipated as an absolute maximum for each substance intended to be used as part of our validation [9]. It also facilitates the considerations and parameters necessary for the reporting of findings from any future quantitative methods that will be developed. Currently, substances administered via routes other than oral have been included; further considerations are required to determine whether there is potential for their inclusion in solid dietary supplements before eliminating them.