Identification of pre-determined steroids in commercially available dietary and traditional supplement products in South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Background An age-old fable can be traced as far back to third century BC that shows ‘sport supplements’ being used by athletes of that era, who made use of ‘substances’, with the aim to improve performance. In more recent times, subsequent to the reunification of Germany, ground-breaking findings were found when acquiring a number of highly classified scientific documents and reports. These documents revealed the systematic state-sponsored programmes of doping of athletes. Specifically linked to anabolic androgenic steroids being a controlled substance globally in several countries. Amidst this ‘control’, steroids are generally readily available for non-medicinal purposes, including for body-image use. Further, in modern day sport and wellness practice, dietary supplements have become of common use and widespread, for competitive and recreational athletes of all ages. This has contributed to modern manufacturing innovation having supplements products that potentially may include illicit substance(s). These often ‘designer steroids’ may be manufactured specifically, to circumvent sport anti-doping laboratory tests, in human sport, and therefore supplied in a clandestine fashion. Aim The research study investigated the industry associated with commercially available dietary and traditional supplements. In particular the research assessed the content of these products for prohibited substances, with reference specifically to pre-determined steroids, that may not necessarily be declared on the product label. Methods A total of 138 dietary supplements products formed part of the assessment. The products were laboratory analysed for 16 pre-determined steroids, using Tandem Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Results The frequency of positive tested samples for the respective steroids assessed in the overall cohort ranged from 24–86%, for South African produced dietary supplements 15–89%, and for imported products, bought in South Africa, 12–90%. Conclusion The findings of the steroid positive tested samples provide evidence for implementing an improved system for regulating, monitoring, and enforcing the quality control of dietary supplements.