Pharmactive speaks on fraudulent aged black garlic supplements in potency assessment of proprietary extract

Addressing the risk of adulteration and mislabeling among botanical supplement products, Pharmactive Biotech Products highlights findings from a new study backing the purity, potency and natural claims of its Abg10+ extract. The aged black garlic ingredient is formulated to help promote cardiovascular health.

The analysis comprising diverse analytical “fingerprints” also confirms the presence of concentrated key bioactive compounds in Abg10+, branded as Agedgarlides.

The primary compound included in Agedgarlides is S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), accompanied by other bioactives, including S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (S1PC) and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC).

“Supplement adulteration is a more prevalent issue than many might assume,” says Ignacio Jiménez Amezcua, Ph.D., who led the study.

“It is quite common to find extracts or products that proclaim a specific bioactive but actually contain undeclared ingredients. A low price attached to an aged black garlic supplement could indicate a lower-quality or even a completely fraudulent product.”

Risk of adulteration

Aged black garlic products can become adulterated through various avenues, highlights Pharmactive. These include dilution to lower costs, use of fillers or inclusion of undeclared synthetic compounds.

The company also flags that certain products can contain pesticides and other contaminants, while others might be subjected to excessive heat that is used to shortcut the aging process, which traditionally takes weeks.

Regulation gaps also open the door to mislabeling aged black garlic products with claims of higher concentrations of bioactives than they have, stresses Pharmactive.

“Even with the implementation of regulatory measures, penalties and enforcements to ensure honest labeling and safety, fraudulent products still manage to slip through the net,” stresses Carlos Rodríguez, communications manager for Pharmactive.

“For that reason, we consistently evaluate our Abg10+ production from the raw material to the final product, applying in-process controls both in our factory and laboratory. We further conduct tests in clinical settings through third parties.”

Traditional aging method

Pharmactive produces its proprietary aged garlic extract using a traditional aging method on locally grown garlic bulbs. Under the fully natural process, the bulbs develop a characteristic natural beige hue and exhibit improved organoleptic properties that enhance their aroma and overall sensory appeal.

This process also enriches the bulbs with potent antioxidants, including organosulfur compounds, polyphenols and amino acids, among other beneficial compounds. The most prevalent of these is SAC, which can reach a ten-fold higher concentration during aging and is noted for its strong cardioprotective qualities.

Manufactured in Spain, the company applies a patented process known as ActiveNature Technology. This system is designed to optimize the extraction and preservation of 100% native SAC and other bioactive compounds from aged garlic through a unique aging technique and eco-friendly water-based extraction.

“Our aged garlic extract is produced under controlled temperature, without burning, which prevents the formation of harmful substances such as acrylamide and furfurals. Our traditional approach to aging and advanced extraction methods enhances the bioactive compounds, resulting in a purer and more beneficial product,” adds Rodríguez.

The black garlic aging process enriches the bulbs with potent antioxidants, including organosulfur compounds, polyphenols and amino acids.Diverse analytical “fingerprints”

The recent study, led by Dr. Amezcua and published in August, 2024, in the scientific journal Foods, applied multiple analytical mass-spectral methodologies to generate “fingerprints” of Abg10+ compared to 24 other commercial aged garlic supplements. 

These fingerprints served to verify the authenticity, purity and consistency of the botanical material.

Analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and flow injection analysis-mass spectrometry revealed wide variability in SAC content of all 25 commercial-aged garlic supplements.

This included the bioactive diastereoisomer, S1PC, and a number of other organosulfur compounds typical of garlic.

These are the key beneficial bioactives, which Pharmactive highlights for their positive influence on cardiovascular health, which are formed during the aging and extraction process. Only about half of the supplements analyzed contained the amount of SAC listed on their labels.

Meanwhile, Abg10+ demonstrated rich concentrations of 0.10% SAC and 0.03% S1PC, matching the amounts stated on its label.

Uncovering synthetic compounds

Pharmactive employed Liquid Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry — an advanced analytical technique used for food authentication — to determine the natural origin of the SAC content in Abg10+. The results revealed the presence of synthetic sources of SAC in other aged garlic supplement contenders.

The carbon isotopic value of SAC in Abg10+ was found to be -28.0‰, in line with the natural reference. Synthetic counterparts showed lower values of -22.3‰, closely matching those observed for the synthetic SAC standard.

“In this market, standardization of active compounds makes all the difference,” says Marina Díez Municio, head of R&D and quality control for Pharmactive. “There are many extracts on the market that only indicate the plant from which they are derived, the method of extraction and compliance with health requirements in line with the current relatively restrained regulations.”

“But there is no proper characterization of the product, which is its fingerprint. We standardize our product using precise analytical tools that have demonstrated reproducible results.”

Several studies have demonstrated Abg10+’s cardioprotective role, including its ability to favorably balance blood lipids, enhance vascular function and improve antioxidant status. In two clinical trials, Abg10+ supplementation was associated with favorable reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

“In a market where transparency and quality are essential, we have implemented the same standardization processes across our entire premium range, including Liboost, Affroneye, Olivactive and others,” adds Díez Municio. 

“Through these measures, the company not only ensures the authenticity of its ingredients but also of their origin and quality. This has established each of our products as a trusted benchmark in the natural dietary supplements sector.”