Ginkgolic acid dosage (in c13)

Ginkgolic acids are natural phenolic compounds found in the leaves and seeds of Ginkgo biloba . Although this plant is widely used in dietary supplements and standardized extracts for its cognitive and vascular effects, the presence of ginkgolic acids poses a toxicological risk. In particular, C13 ginkgolic acid is regulated because it is associated with allergenic, cytotoxic, and mutagenic effects.

The specific dosage of these compounds is therefore essential to ensure the safety of the formulations and meet current standards.

Importance of dosage

Ginkgolic acid analysis is essential for several reasons:

• ensure regulatory compliance of Ginkgo biloba extracts,
• check compliance with the maximum authorized thresholds (< 5 ppm in Europe),
• secure food supplements intended for circulation and cognitive well-being,
• control the purity of plant raw materials,
• enhance finished products through reliable analytical traceability.

Analytical techniques used

The dosage is mainly carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), often coupled with:

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

This approach makes it possible to precisely quantify C13 ginkgolic acid, but also to characterize other homologues present in small quantities in the extracts.

Affected matrices

The analyses can be carried out on different matrices:

• Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts,
• raw or processed vegetable powders,
• food supplements (capsules, tablets, solutions),
• standardized liquid formulations.

Industrial and scientific applications

Ginkgolic acid dosage applies to several areas:

• nutraceutical: quality control of products enriched with Ginkgo biloba,
• phytotherapy: verification of the conformity of standardized extracts,
• research: evaluation of the potential biological effects of ginkgolic acids and their derivatives,
• cosmetics: securing formulations containing plant extracts.

Additional analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

Ginkgolic acid testing can be combined with other analytical services offered by YesWeLab:

• Rutin assay for the evaluation of an antioxidant flavonoid,
• Quercetin assay for the characterization of flavonoids in plant extracts,
• Dosage of total flavonoids to obtain a global view of antioxidant activity,
• Boswellic acid assay for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory triterpenes,
• Progoitrin assay for the quantification of glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables.

YesWeLab Expertise

At YesWeLab, we work with a network of carefully selected laboratories specializing in the analysis of plant and nutraceutical substances. The majority of our partners are certified and/or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), guaranteeing reliable results that comply with international standards.

Our scientific team supports manufacturers and formulators by offering:

• analytical methods adapted to each matrix,
• great responsiveness to meet regulatory constraints,
• a digital platform facilitating the management, monitoring and restitution of analysis results.