Análise de teor de vitamina E em suplementos comerciais

Abstract

Dietary supplementation had become established as a growing practice in Brazil, following a global trend toward achieving a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Among the widely used supplements was vitamin E, an essential nutrient found in foods such as eggs, fish, vegetable oils, and avocados. Its antioxidant activity played a fundamental role in protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, contributing to the prevention of dermatological and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to perform dosage tests and compare vitamin E levels in dietary supplements from different brands marketed at retail, with emphasis on products from companies not linked to pharmaceutical industries. Oversight of dietary supplements in Brazil exhibited weaknesses, especially when compared to the strict controls applied to pharmaceutical products. This regulatory gap resulted from the rapid growth in the availability of new products on the market and from the classification of these supplements as food products, which made the application of uniform standards and rigorous controls more difficult. This scenario highlighted the need for greater attention from regulatory authorities to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products. Based on the results, it was possible to perform a detailed comparison of vitamin E levels with the quality parameters established by agencies such as the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). The quantitative analysis of vitamin E in dietary supplements required the application of scientific methods capable of ensuring precise and reliable results, with a methodology based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) adopted for the determinations. Products from both food and pharmaceutical brands achieved satisfactory results according to their intended purposes and market positioning, meeting the specifications required by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This study aimed to contribute to strengthening quality control of dietary supplements and to raising awareness of the importance of more rigorous regulations, ensuring greater consumer protection and promoting transparency within the sector.