Dosage of medicagenic acid

Medicogenic acid (CAS 508-53-2) is a triterpene saponoside naturally present in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) and other legumes. It belongs to the family of pentacyclic acids known for their anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and antimicrobial properties. In nutraceuticals and animal nutrition, it is used as a quality marker for plant extracts and as an indicator of potential biological activity.

Why dose medicagenic acid?

The dosage of medicagenic acid is essential for several industrial applications:

• Evaluation of the quality of alfalfa extracts used in human or veterinary nutrition
• Standardization of plant-based food supplements rich in saponins
• Development of functional formulations for digestive, cardiovascular or anti-inflammatory purposes
• Quality control of animal feed, particularly in the context of formulations enriched with bioactive plant extracts

This dosage is particularly relevant for manufacturers of natural supplements, fortified foods or nutritional additives of plant origin, who are keen to provide proof of concentration of active ingredients.

Available analytical methods

YesWeLab offers the dosage of medicagenic acid using two reference methods:

• HPLC-DAD (high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection), a reliable and reproducible method suitable for simple to moderately complex matrices.
• LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry), recommended for complex or low concentration matrices.

These methods allow precise detection, including in concentrated extracts, dry formulations or enriched animal matrices.

Affected matrices

The dosage of medicagenic acid is suitable for several types of samples, including:

• Standardized plant extracts of alfalfa or related medicinal plants
• Food supplements in powder, capsule or liquid form
• Animal feed enriched with plant extracts or functional additives
• Fermented plant products, as part of research on the bioavailability or transformation of saponins

Additional analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

The analysis of medicagenic acid is part of a broader approach to quality control of plant extracts rich in saponins and triterpenes. Here are 4 additional analyses available in the YesWeLab catalog:

1. Madecassic acid dosage
   → Another major triterpene compound in natural extracts, used in cosmetics and nutraceuticals.

2. Total Saponin Determination
   → A comprehensive method for assessing all saponins in an extract. Essential for plant materials such as ginseng, fenugreek, or alfalfa.

3. HPLC Profile of Triterpenes
   → Provides a comprehensive mapping of triterpenic acids in complex extracts, useful for product development or certification.

These analyses can be combined as part of a comprehensive control plan to ensure regulatory compliance, functional efficacy and stability of formulations containing plant actives.

YesWeLab, your partner for saponin analysis

Thanks to its network of specialized partner laboratories, YesWeLab supports you in carrying out precise and reliable analyses on saponins, triterpenes, and other plant compounds. All our partners are selected according to strict criteria of quality, accreditation (ISO 17025, COFRAC), and responsiveness.

We provide you with a secure digital platform to manage your analyses: ordering tests, tracking samples, receiving results, everything is centralized to save you time and ensure traceability.