Supplement Safety

What Does it Take to Make YOUR Nutritional Supplement Safe and Effective?

The answer to that question depends on what brand you are using. If you are taking BioNatures' Supplements... read on. If you are not, then... read on!

At BioNatures, uncompromising quality is not an option – it is an obligation. It is not a vague goal – it is standard operating procedure.

All incoming raw materials are thoroughly tested before they are released for use in BioNatures' products. Quality checks continue throughout the various stages of manufacturing, as well as at the completion of production.

MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING

Bacteria Testing - By testing for and counting the bacteria on machinery and equipment in the production area, BioNatures' can evaluate the standard hygiene level and the efficiency of their cleaning procedures. By checking the bacteria counts in the production areas we ensure that our products will not become contaminated in the manufacturing plant.

Total Bacteria Testing - To determine the number of microbes that might be contaminating a product, we take a total plate count. We test a sample of raw material or finished product and determine the amount of aerobic microbe contamination in the sample. We can then compare this count to our stringent allowable spec levels. If any raw material counts are higher than allowable levels, the batch is rejected and returned to the vendor. Finished products are also audited to ensure they meet BioNatures’ quality specifications.

Mold and Yeast Testing - BioNatures regularly performs yeast and mold counts by using a count plate. A count plate is a specialized dish that contains the elements a mold or yeast would need to sustain life if it were present.

E. coli and Coliform Testing - The dangers of E. coli bacteria are well known. BioNatures tests raw materials for the presence of E. coli and Coliforms using specially designed E. coli/Coliform count plates that contain and indicator that turns the bacteria blue (E. coli) and pink (Coliforms) if present. This allows for visual identification of the bacteria and rejection of that particular batch of raw material.

Salmonella Testing - Salmonella bacteria is responsible for many food poisoning cases. BioNatures regularly tests for salmonella bacteria in herbal raw materials and products.

PURITY TESTING

Organoleptic ID Testing - This analysis includes testing with the senses, i.e. checking the taste, odor, color, and appearance of the raw material.

Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) - The FTIR test validates the authenticity of a raw material. A beam of infrared light is passed through a sample of the raw material. As the beam shines on the sample, the sample absorbs energy from the beam at certain frequencies. When we chart the frequencies at which the sample absorbs energy, we get the “absorption spectrum”. No two raw materials have the exact same absorption spectrum, so by comparing these spectrums to existing spectrums, BioNatures can positively identify the raw material. This test is critical because some raw materials look, smell, and taste exactly alike, but one may cost 25 times more than another. Without FTIR testing, suppliers may be tempted to dilute the more expensive raw material with inexpensive “fillers”.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) - This extremely sensitive, computerized tool allows us to analyze the ingredients in a mixture. BioNatures places a dissolved sample of a mixture in the auto sampler unit and pumps it through the analytical column. The mixture separates into different vitamin (or herb) components, and the highly sensitive detector measures the amount of each component in the mixture. We can use HPLC to verify proper ingredient ratios in a mixture, or to examine the purity and potency of raw materials.

Atomic Absorption (AA) - This sensitive, computerized tool allows us to analyze the minerals in a mixture. We place a dissolved sample of mixture in the auto sampler unit and pump it through the analytical flame. The highly sensitive detector measures the amount of each component in the mixture. We can use Atomic Absorption to verify proper ingredient rations in a mixture, or to examine the purity and potency of raw materials.