Quality deviations in magnesium chloride-based food supplement capsules

Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2024, v.12: e02225 | Published on: 20/02/2024

Abstract

Introduction: Magnesium plays various roles in metabolism necessary for homeostasis, and supplementation becomes necessary when the satisfactory amount cannot be obtained through diet. Therefore, quality control becomes essential to ensure product safety through tests based on current legislation. Objective: To evaluate the quality of dietary supplements based on magnesium chloride, marketed in the form of capsules from four nationally distributed brands, sold in pharmacies. Method: The description of the samples was performed by extracting information from the labels and observing visual aspects with the naked eye. Physical-chemical quality control tests were used: average weight, disintegration, assay, and content uniformity as described in the current official compendium. Results: According to the labeled information, the content of the samples ranged from 450 mg to 600 mg of magnesium chloride. Visually, the casings of three samples were transparent, while one was opaque, filled in two samples. The content consisted of powder with variable coloration ranging from white to yellowish, with coarse and aggregated particles. The tests revealed that only sample A did not comply with the official compendium in terms of weight. In the disintegration test, all samples disintegrated within the established time. Only samples A and C achieved the specified content. None of the samples met the content uniformity limit. Conclusions: All analyzed samples showed some nonconformity related to content, suggesting an urgent need for specific oversight in the production of this type of product.