Identification of markers for the authentication of cranberry extract and cranberry-based food supplements.

Due to the high cost of the cranberry extract, there have been several reported cases of adulteration. The aim of our study was to find markers to authenticate extracts or cranberry-based food supplements. Cranberry fruits from 7 countries, 17 cranberry extracts and 10 cranberry-based food supplements were analysed by UPLC-DAD-Orbitrap MS. Procyanidins were assessed by DMAC method. Anthocyanin fingerprint and epicatechin/catechin, procyanidin A2/total procyanidin and procyanidin/anthocyanin ratios were used as markers, and PCA carried out to check for similarity. Approximately 24% and 60% of the extracts and food supplements, respectively, differed significantly from the fruits. One seemed adulterated with and two with extract. Six food supplements were non-compliant and five contained mainly cyanidin-glucoside and cyanidin-rutinoside, suggesting adulteration with extract. Only four products contained the procyanidin amount declared on the package, and only one provided the daily dose deemed effective for treating a urinary tract infection.