MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMMERCIAL HERBAL SLIMMING PRODUCTS IN EGYPT
Abstract
Herbal slimming products have gained wide consumer interest, yet concerns remain about their authenticity, safety, and quality. This study assessed five commercially available slimming products sold in Egypt using an integrated approach combining GC-MS profiling, microbial isolation, qPCR, and 16S rRNA metabarcoding. GC-MS analysis revealed both plant-derived phytochemicals and undeclared sibutramine in most samples, with relative abundances ranging from 33.5% to 100%, indicating likely pharmaceutical adulteration. Microbial culturing and qPCR showed variable bacterial burdens, while metabarcoding identified diverse bacterial communities associated mainly with plant- and soil- related taxa. The findings suggest that some commercial herbal slimming products may contain undeclared drugs and microbial contaminants, emphasizing the need for stronger regulation and routine surveillance.
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