Determination of withanolides and withanosides

The measurement of withanolides and withanosides is essential for manufacturers and distributors of nutraceutical products, dietary supplements, and medicinal plant extracts. These bioactive molecules, characteristic of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), are recognized for their adaptogenic properties, contributing to stress management, strengthening immunity, and improving vitality.

The precise measurement of their concentrations in standardized extracts, powders or final formulations is a guarantee of quality, compliance and market value.

Understanding Withanolides and Withanosides

Withanolides are a family of steroidal lactones naturally occurring in ashwagandha, a plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. They exert various biological activities, including:

• Adaptogenic effects contributing to stress resistance
• Stimulation of vitality and energy
• Immunomodulatory properties
• Potential role in cell protection and regeneration

Withanosides are the glycosylated forms of withanolides. They enrich the spectrum of action of ashwagandha and are key analytical markers for assessing the quality and standardization of extracts.

Analytical methods for the determination of withanolides

Two reference chromatographic techniques are used for the analysis of withanolides and withanosides:

• HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) : reference method for separating and quantifying the main withanolides in plant matrices or formulated products.
• LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) : allows specific identification and high sensitivity, suitable for complex extracts or low concentration assays.

These methods ensure precise, reproducible quantification that complies with nutraceutical industry standards. They are essential to guarantee the quality of marketed extracts and the reliability of health claims.

Sectors concerned by the dosage of withanolides

The analysis of withanolides and withanosides is of interest in several areas:

• Nutraceuticals and food supplements : quality control of ashwagandha extracts integrated into powders, capsules, functional drinks or combined formulations.
• Phytotherapy and herbalism : validation of the active ingredient content in traditional preparations or standardized extracts.
• Research and development : characterization of bioactive profiles to evaluate new health or therapeutic applications.
• Medicinal plants : batch control and standardization of Withania somnifera .

Typically analyzed matrices

Withanolides and withanosides are sought in several types of matrices, including:

• Standardized extracts of ashwagandha
• Root or leaf powders
• Nutraceutical capsules and tablets
• Functional drinks and foods
• Herbal medicine preparations

Quality and compliance issues

The natural variability of withanolide levels in ashwagandha requires rigorous analytical control. The main issues are:

• Standardization of extracts : guarantee a minimum concentration of withanolides, generally set by industrial specifications.
• Regulatory compliance : comply with the standards in force according to the target markets, particularly for export.
• Reliability of health claims : scientifically document the presence of bioactive ingredients to strengthen the credibility of products.
• Consumer safety : preventing risks associated with excessive variations between batches or products of insufficient quality.

YesWeLab support for your ashwagandha analyses

At YesWeLab, we provide a network of laboratories specialized in the analysis of plant extracts and bioactive compounds. Our partners, accredited and certified (ISO 17025, COFRAC), use validated methods to guarantee you reliable and recognized results.

Thanks to our digital platform, you can:

• Send your samples with ease
• Track the progress of your analyses in real time
• Receive your results quickly and securely

Our scientific teams advise you on the choice of analytical methods and on the best strategy to secure your product developments.

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