title: A stable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis system to characterize Ma Huang products found in health foods and supplements.
abstract: Herbal mixtures containing Ma Huang are of significant interest because of their popularity regardless of their potential health hazards. In spite of reports of health problems and even several deaths, these products are still frequently recommended for use. The complex nature of the commercial supplement mixtures has posed a problem in both their qualitative and quantitative analysis. A gas chromatographic procedure has been developed to evaluate authenticity of Ma Huang mixtures. Mass spectrometric identification of the six major alkaloid ephedrine components and application of chi-square evaluation of the chromatographic profile allows a determination to be made regarding the nature of the origin of the mixture. For comparison, a standard mixture was prepared that approximates a typical Ma Huang composition based on average amounts of each alkaloid component reported in the literature. The system is temperature stable and allows simultaneous analysis for caffeine and other components of the commercial supplements. Several samples of commercial herbal products were analyzed by the procedure, and their composition is evaluated and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Food & Drug Administration, 3032 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75204, USA. lbhwizard@home.com
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004809:Ephedrine