Are vitamin gummies providing the minerals they promise?

Sammanfattning

Introduction: This study focuses on the quantitative analysis of minerals in gummy supplements Background: The content of minerals in gummy supplements can be challenging to measure due to the complex organic matrix that includes, among other ingredients, sugar, glucose syrup, and pectin. Aim(s): The aim of this research project was to validate a method for quantifying Zn, Mg, and Fe in gummy supplements and to assess whether the labelled mineral contents reported by manufacturers are accurate. Methods: Iron, Mg, and Zn, were extracted from gummy supplement samples using nitric acid and analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). External calibration and the standard addition calibration methods were applied to evaluate matrix effects. Method sensitivity and reliability were assessed by determining the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) from repeated measurements of a 1% (v/v) nitric acid blank. Results: Linear regression analysis for all three minerals showed high linear correlation, R2 > 0, 99. Analytical results showed a mean of 26.57 mg of Zn per gummy compared to a 25 mg label, 6.76 mg of Fe against 7 mg label and 71.5 mg of Mg compared to a 67 mg label, thus all three minerals align closely with the expected values. Conclusion: This study shows that using AAS combined with SAM is essential for achieving accurate results in complex food matrix. SAM successfully eliminated matrix interference, which allowed for the accurate results.