The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed new certified reference materials to improve the measurement of organic acids in dietary supplements containing Vaccinium berries like cranberries, blueberries, and bilberries. These standard reference materials (SRMs) are matrix-matched to account for the complexity of the whole berry, updating previous methods that relied on pure organic acid references.
The new suite of SRMs allows manufacturers and researchers to use quality assurance tools to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the products. Dietary supplement manufacturers often market berries for various health benefits but risks such as economic adulteration through dilution with less expensive juices or substitution of berry types can occur.
The seven new SRMs were developed through collaboration between NIST, the NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements, and the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. This effort to create reliable reference materials supports the accuracy of tests used in various fields like manufacturing, clinical chemistry, and forensics.
Keywords: quantum, computing, algorithms
