Dosage of furocoumarins in citrus fruits

Furocoumarins are natural compounds belonging to the coumarin family, found in particular in citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lime, and bergamot. Among them, bergamottin and xanthotoxin are particularly studied. These molecules are known for their interaction with certain liver enzymes, particularly cytochrome P450, which causes the phenomenon known as the "grapefruit effect." This effect can modify the metabolism of certain medications and therefore constitutes a health safety issue for products intended for human consumption. Their dosage is essential to ensure the compliance and safety of foods, supplements, and citrus extracts.

Analytical methods for the determination of furocoumarins

The determination of furocoumarins is based on high-precision chromatographic techniques:

• HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) : reference method for separating and quantifying furocoumarins in complex extracts.
• LC-MS and LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry) : allow extremely sensitive and specific detection, suitable for low concentrations and complex matrices such as essential oils and beverages.

These approaches guarantee reliable quantification, in line with regulatory and scientific expectations. They are complementary to other analyses offered in our catalog, such as the dosage of sesquiterpene coumarins or fraxin .

Industrial applications and security issues

The dosage of furocoumarins concerns several sectors:

• Human food : quality control of juices, drinks, aromatic extracts and citrus essential oils.
• Nutraceuticals : standardization of food supplements based on citrus extracts, to ensure their regular consumption.
• Cosmetics : formulation of citrus-based products, particularly essential oils used in aromatherapy, which may present risks of photosensitization.
• Animal nutrition : control of citrus extracts used as additives in livestock feed.

This service is part of an approach to controlling bioactive plant active ingredients, like the dosage of other regulated compounds such as tyramine or tryptamine .

Matrices analyzed for furocoumarins

The assay can be applied to a wide range of matrices: citrus essential oils (bergamot, grapefruit, lime), concentrated aromatic extracts, plant powders from zest or peel, citrus juice-based drinks, food supplements containing standardized extracts. Each type of matrix requires specific preparation to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the results.

Regulatory and traceability issues

Due to their potential for interaction with certain medical treatments and their photosensitizing properties, furocoumarins are subject to increased monitoring. Their dosage helps to: guarantee consumer safety, comply with European regulations on active substances present in foodstuffs and cosmetics, ensure consistency and reproducibility between batches, and strengthen the traceability of citrus extracts and formulations. This safety approach is similar to that of other compliance analyses, such as the dosage of bisphenols in packaging or adjuvants in formulations.

YesWeLab's expertise in furocoumarin dosage

YesWeLab relies on a network of more than 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, selected for their scientific expertise and accreditations (ISO 17025, COFRAC, etc.). Our experts assist each client in choosing the method best suited to their matrices and objectives. Thanks to our digital platform, you can easily manage your analytical needs: online quote requests, real-time tracking of your samples, and rapid receipt of results. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and design offices have entrusted us with their analyses to guarantee the safety and compliance of their products.

Take action

Are you developing citrus extracts, beverages, or dietary supplements? Entrust your samples to YesWeLab for accurate and reliable furocoumarin assays. Request a quote online now for your analyses.