Addressing new challenges on the quality and safety of mental health food supplements by white analytical chemistry

(MeSbyWAC)

The project

Safety and quality in mental health supplements: an urgent challenge

Consumer concern about mood and mental well-being has grown over the years, rising exponentially since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, consumption of mental health food supplements (MHFSs) has increased.

However, MHFSs are affected by several problems related to their quality and safety, such as (i) discrepancies in the declared content of bioactive compounds, (ii) replacement of the natural source declared by another of lower economic value, (iii) non-declared use of synthetic bioactives, and (iv) presence of chemical contaminants, among others.

To address these challenges, new and more sustainable analytical methodologies with improved sensitivity and selectivity performance are required.

Detection of challenging frauds

This project proposes two strategies: (i) multicomponent analysis by chromatographic techniques to create authenticity profiles, and (ii) development of selective and eco-friendly methods for accurate quantitation of target bioactives. The aim is to create efficient and reliable tools for quality control and consumer protection.

Chemical safety

An untargeted analysis using GC×GC-ToF MS will be conducted to detect a broad range of contaminants, followed by precise quantitation of the most concerning ones using targeted methods. The study will also optimize sample preparation with greener solvents and use ultra-short GC columns to enhance the detection of polar compounds.

Stability enhancement of bioactive compounds

To evaluate and improve the stability of bioactive compounds, the project proposes microencapsulation (e.g., spray drying) and the use of bio-based solvents like Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs). The project aims to assess their combined use as a novel strategy to enhance the preservation of bioactives.

About us

We are a multidisciplinary consortium of expert researchers in Food Science and Technology, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Materials Science.

Subproject 1 (SP1): Institute of General Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC)

Innovative strategies for evaluation of the quality and safety of MHFSs.

Specific objectives (SO):

SO1: Quality assessment of MHFSs by multicomponent analysis.
SO2: Fraud detection in MHFSs based on improved and greener analysis of target bioactive compounds.
SO3: Safety evaluation concerning organic contaminants present in MHFSs.
SO4: Evaluation of innovative strategies to improve the stability of MHFS bioactives.

Subproject 2 (SP2): Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry (IQF-CSIC) and Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering (ETSII-UPM)

Development of new sustainable approaches for characterizing the composition of MHFSs.

Specific objectives (SO):

SO5: Computational identification of the most effective green solvents as extractants of bioactives and contaminants from MHFSs.
SO6: New analytical tools with improved performance to address challenges regarding MHFS composition.