Analysis of aloe preparations and other plant-derived raw materials

Food supplements and cosmetics: Eurofins expands its testing portfolio by the analysis for Aloin A and B, Aloe-Emodin, Emodin & Danthron

Aug 2021. In cooperation with colleagues from Brea, California (USA), Eurofins Food Testing Germany set up a new analysis which focuses on hydroxyanthracene derivates in aloe preparations. While food supplements and raw materials for cosmetics have been analysed for hydroxyanthracene derivates in the US for a long time (but at higher limits of detection), the need to establish such a method in Germany particularly arose after an amendment of the enrichment regulation.

In the following, you will find an overview on effects, analytics and legal regulation of hydroxyanthracene derivates.

Effect of hydroxyanthracene derivates

Hydroxyanthracene derivates (synonyms: anthranoids; anthraquinones) are proven to enhance the bowel function. Preparations made from plants that contain those substances can thus be found in different drugs and food supplements. On the other hand, though, hydroxyanthracene derivates are also associated with certain health risks.

In the beginning of November 2017, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) issued an extensive opinion on food supplements made from whole-leaf aloe preparations containing hydroxy-anthracene derivatives. In a scientific opinion on the safety of this class of compounds for use in food the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded already towards the end of November 2017 that aloe-emodin, emodin, danthron and aloe may cause harmful effects to health when used in food. Hydroxyanthracene derivates should generally be regarded as genotoxic and carcinogenic. However, due to an insufficient amount of data the EFSA panel was not able to provide advice on a tolerable daily intake of hydroxyanthracene derivatives.

Amendment of the Enrichment Regulation

The mentioned EFSA opinion had direct impact on applicable European law. By means of Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/468 of 18 March Annex III of Regulation (EC) 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 (on substances whose use in foods is prohibited, restricted or under community scrutiny) was amended with regard to botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivates (we reported in the Eurofins Legislation News, issue no. 3/2021, page 4). The regulation entered into force on April 8, 2021. By listing in part A of the Annex, aloe-emodin, emodin and danthron – and preparations made thereof – as well as preparations made from leafs from Aloe species containing hydroxyanthracene derivates were forbidden.

Impacts on preparations of Aloe vera

Hence, it is aloe products that are affected by the amendments of the enrichment regulation in the first place. There are about 250 aloe species, the most famous being Aloe barbadensis, also called aloe vera. The colorless aloe leaf gel has been used in food preparations and cosmetics for many years. Particularly high concentrations of hydroxyanthracene derivates can be found in the upper layer of the aloe leaf (in so-called latex & rind) which is why this layer is thoroughly removed and the gel, if necessary, is technologically processed. The effectiveness of this procedure can be tested by Eurofins from now on.

Impacts on preparations of other plants

There are numerous other plants that contain different hydroxyanthracene derivates. Whether the plant species Rheum, Cassia and Rhamnus contain the above-mentioned and now forbidden substances, is to be verified. Thus, Annex III Part C (Substances under community scrutiny) was amended by hydroxyanthracene derivates-containing preparations made from the root or rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale Baillon and their hybrids, from the leafs and fruits of Cassia senna L. as well as from the bark of Rhamnus frangula L. oder Rhamnus purshiana DC.

Contact us

Do you have any questions regarding our newly established analytics for hydroxyanthracene derivates? Please contact your personal account manager or directly our contact persons listed at "Contact". We are looking forward to hearing from you!