Disclosing Frauds in Herbal Food Supplements Labeling: A Simple LC-MS/MS Approach to Detect Alkaloids and Biogenic Amines

Food supplements are a category of products perceived safe and therefore commonly used by different categories of consumers without any particular attention or precaution. However, health risks associated with the consumption of supplements containing undeclared substances cannot be excluded. A variety of analytical methods are used to control supplement quality composition, but usually, these procedures are complex and time-consuming. Here, we report the results of a simple and fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method, to detect and quantify simultaneously different categories of active molecules, such as biogenic ammines and natural alkaloids that at high doses can produce negative health effect in consumers. Three categories of products intended for body weight loss, energy boosting, and erectile dysfunction treatment, purchased through e-commerce sites and from local supermarkets, were analyzed (n = 91). The caffeine, synephrine, agmatine sulfate, yohimbine, phenethylamine, and icariin were correctly separated and identified with good precision (RSD