Analytical tests affirm purity in aged black garlic extract from Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU

In a recent news release, Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU (Madrid, Spain) announced it had demonstrated the authenticity of its proprietary aged black garlic (ABG) extract, Abg10+. The mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of the bioactive compound branded as Agedgarlides, which includes the primary compound S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), and also S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (S1PC) and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC).

Pharmactive sources locally grown garlic bulbs for the extract and uses a traditional aging method to produce Abg10+, which develops its hue and its organoleptic properties, while also enriching it with antioxidants, amino acids, and SAC, which is known for cardioprotective qualities. Pharmactive also uses a proprietary process known as ActiveNature Technology to optimize extraction and preservation of SAC. Studies have demonstrated the effect of Abg10+ on balancing blood lipids and enhancing vascular functions. Additionally, two clinical trials demonstrated association between Abg10+ supplementation and favorable reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

An August 2024 study, published in the journal Foods and led by Ignacio Jiménez-Amezcua, PhD, used multiple analytical mass-spectral methodologies to generate “fingerprints” to verify the authenticity, purity, and consistency of Abg10+ and 24 other aged garlic products. The results indicated widely varying amount of SAC in the products with only half of them, including Abg10+, containing the amount of SAC that was stated on their labels. Additionally, liquid Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry also determined the natural origin of the SAC content in Abg10+, while finding synthetic sources of SAC in other supplements.

“In this market, standardization of active compounds makes all the difference,” stated Marina Díez Municio, head of R&D and QC for Pharmactive, in the news release. “There are many extracts on the market that only indicate the plant from which they are derived, the method of extraction and compliance with health requirements in line with the current relatively restrained regulations. But there is no proper characterization of the product, which is its fingerprint. We standardize our product using precise analytical tools that have demonstrated reproducible results.”

While confirming the potency of Abg10+, the study draws attention to the presence of fraudulent ABG products in the market, which include products containing fillers or undeclared compounds, or aging processes sped up by exposure to excessive heat. “Even with the implementation of regulatory measures, penalties, and enforcements to ensure honest labeling and safety, fraudulent products still manage to slip through the net,” stated Carlos Rodríguez, Communications Manager for Pharmactive, in the news release. “For that reason, we consistently evaluate our Abg10+ production from the raw material to the final product, applying in-process controls both in our factory and laboratory. We further conduct tests in clinical settings through third parties. All these safety and efficacy measures ensure that our customers are receiving is 100% authentic aged garlic components supported by science to deliver what is promised.”

References

1. Jiménez-Amezcua, I.; Díez-Municio, M.; Ruiz-Matute, A.I.; Soria, A.C. A Comparative Study of LC-MS and FIA-(ESI)MS for Quantitation of S-Allyl-L-Cysteine in Aged Garlic Supplements. Foods 2024, 13, 2645. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172645