Title:A Critical Scientific Review on Withania somnifera, Garcinia cambogia and
Curcumin Supplements: Food Forensics Perspective
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Akanksha Behl, Amarnath Mishra*G. P. Sharma
Affiliation:
- Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
Keywords:
Food forensics, dietary supplements, Garcinia cambogia, Curcuma longa. curcumin, Withania somnifera, adulteration, liver injury, counterfeiting.
Abstract: Abstract: Food forensics is an emerging branch that applies scientific knowledge for the verification
and authentication of food supplements. The term “dietary supplement” refers to a diverse
set of preparations that are deemed to be essential for the well-being of the human body.
These supplements consist of various physiologically active substances that produce effects on
the body. However, a major issue with these supplements is that they are neither considered as
medicines nor as a food products. Due to this, such food supplements are prone to adulteration
and counterfeiting. In this review, three widely used supplements, namely Curcuma longa,
Withania somnifera, and Garcinia cambogia supplements, are considered. Chemistry, pharmacology,
and benefits of three are being discussed along with the analytical techniques for their
analysis. Chromatographic techniques are popular for the examination of dietary supplements.
Several such analytical techniques are being used to detect and identify the physiologically active
constituents as well as adulterants in dietary products. This review intends to demonstrate
the overall issues regarding dietary supplements.