Boswellic acid assay

Boswellic acids are a family of pentacyclic triterpenes found in the resin of Boswellia serrata (frankincense). These bioactive compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and potentially anticancer properties. Their quantification is a key step in standardizing extracts, validating nutraceutical products, and evaluating their biological efficacy.

Importance of dosage

The analysis of boswellic acids is essential for several applications:

• to ensure the standardization of Boswellia extracts in order to guarantee their therapeutic efficacy,
• verify the compliance of food supplements claiming anti-inflammatory effects,
• to control the quality and authenticity of raw materials,
• monitor the stability of formulations containing frankincense resin.

Analytical techniques used

The determination of boswellic acids relies primarily on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), often coupled with:

• a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD),
• mass spectrometry (LC-MS or LC-MS/MS).

These approaches allow for precise quantification of the main boswellic acids, including:

• boswellic acid,
• 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA),
• 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA).

Affected matrices

Assays can be performed on various matrices, including:

• Boswellia serrata resins,
• standardized dry extracts,
• vegetable powders,
• dietary supplements in the form of capsules or tablets,
• functional cosmetic formulations with anti-inflammatory properties.

Industrial and scientific applications

The measurement of boswellic acids is useful in several sectors:

• Nutraceuticals: development and control of supplements intended for joint and digestive health
• Phytotherapy: promoting the use of traditional medicinal plants,
• Cosmetics: integration into formulations with soothing and protective properties,
• Scientific research: study of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms of action.

Additional analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

Boswellic acid analysis can be combined with other analytical services offered by YesWeLab, such as:

• Rutin assay for the evaluation of an antioxidant flavonoid,
• Protodioscin assay for the control of steroidal saponins,
• Determination of glucosinolates for the characterization of sulfur-containing plant compounds,
• Determination of oleocanthal acid for the enhancement of olive oils.

YesWeLab Expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of partner laboratories, rigorously selected for their technical expertise and the quality of their analyses. The majority of these laboratories are certified and/or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), guaranteeing the reliability and accuracy of the results. Through our digital platform, you can centralize your analytical requests, track your samples, and receive your results quickly and securely.