Title : Physicochemical and microbiological quality control of nutricosmetics used as curve enhancers by women in Yaoundé
Abstract:
Nutricosmetics, used for weight gain are available on line ; the presentation of these products shows sachets of tablets with different size and colours. Women are consuming after money transfer payment, and collect the product in a place without contact with vendors. The objective of the study was to identify compounds presents in these nutricosmetics used as curve and butt enhancers, and sold on the informal market. Products were collected using the customers' usual online purchasing method; then pharmacotechnical tests (uniformity of weight and disintegration), microbiological analyzes were done at LANACOME. The identification of active principles by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were carried out according to standards at the National Training High School, Yaoundé. Then, 11 batches including 4 composite batches for a total of 18 samples were tested ; as results, 100% of the batches did not comply with WHO specifications for labeling; 44.4% were non-compliant for the mass uniformity test according to the Pharmacopoeia, 9th edition; 27.78% of the batches had a disintegration time greater than the 30 minutes required by the above specification. However, 100% compliance with microbiological tests was obtained. LC-MS revealed the presence of Cyproheptadine at 44.4%, 5.56% Prednisolone, 11.1% 7-Epi-hydroxyjasmonic acid glucoside and 5.56% aphyllic acid. We learnt that curve and bust enhancers used by women, are not organic products, nor nutricosmetics but orexigens, sterols and other impurities, chemicals, were found inside ; and by it’s activities might be at risk for public healthcare.
Key words : Butt Enhancers, Quality Control, Nutricosmetics, Cyproheptadine, Prednisolone, LC-MS.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The business of curve, breast and butt enhancers is very developed and organized
- Vendors are implementing it in the informal market at very high cost
- Components used in the protocols are not organic or nutraceuticals , but dangerous products like steroids and orexigens… Labeling evaluation and pharmacotechnical testings were not compliant to standards ; this expose women for heath hazards
- The screening by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is useful to identify the active principles
