Convallatoxin (cardiac glycoside) assay

Convallatoxin is a cardiotonic glycoside extracted from lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis). A potent natural compound, it affects cardiac contractility and exhibits high toxicity when ingested in excessive quantities. Its laboratory measurement is therefore essential to assess the safety of plant extracts and ensure regulatory compliance of herbal products.

This analysis is performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) or by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), two reference techniques for the identification and precise quantification of cardiotonic glycosides.

Importance of convallatoxin measurement

Cardiac glycosides such as convallatoxin must be rigorously controlled to avoid any health risks. Their concentration can vary significantly depending on:

• the plant species analyzed
• the part of the plant used (leaf, flower, stem)
• the harvesting and drying conditions
• the extraction processes applied

Precise dosage is essential for:

• Evaluate the safety of natural products and food supplements
• Detect potential contamination or abnormal concentrations
• Standardize extracts of lily of the valley and other plants containing cardiotonic glycosides
• Comply with regulatory requirements and ensure the conformity of marketed batches
• Strengthen the traceability and transparency of products placed on the market

Analytical methods used

The measurement of convallatoxin relies on chromatographic and spectrometric techniques recognized for their reliability and precision:

• HPLC-DAD : separation of extract components and quantification using a diode array detector, providing specific analysis of glycosides.
• LC-MS/MS : a more sensitive method allowing confirmation of the molecular structure of convallatoxin and detection of its presence even at very low concentrations.

These approaches guarantee rigorous control and meet the needs of manufacturers, research laboratories and distributors of natural products.

Affected matrices

Convallatoxin assay can be applied to different matrices:

• Plant extracts (lily of the valley and other plants containing glycosides)
• Dried plant powders
• Natural products and nutraceutical formulations
• Complex preparations containing several bioactive compounds

This analysis is suitable for both raw materials and finished products.

Industrial and regulatory applications

Convallatoxin control is crucial in several sectors:

• Nutraceuticals and food supplements : verification of product safety and compliance.
• Scientific research : identification of the mechanisms of action of cardiotonic glycosides.
• Plant industry : standardization and characterization of extracts.
• Consumer safety : prevention of risks related to glycoside toxicity.

Thanks to reliable quantification, manufacturers and distributors can secure their products and demonstrate their compliance to the control authorities.

Additional analyses available

YesWeLab also offers other assays for glycosides and associated plant molecules, allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation of natural extracts:

Digitoxin assay,
scopolamine assay,
atropine assay

These additional analyses provide a complete view of the toxic and bioactive profiles of plant extracts.

YesWeLab expertise

Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting manufacturers, distributors, and engineering firms in managing their laboratory analyses. Our digital platform centralizes requests, facilitates sample tracking, and ensures fast and clear delivery of results.

We work with a network of rigorously selected partner laboratories, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited. This commitment to quality guarantees reliable analyses, tailored to the specific characteristics of the matrices and the analytical methods required.

Our scientific team remains available to support your projects, meet your regulatory requirements and optimize your quality control processes.