Alkemist Labs has released a top-20 list of botanicals and fungi that most frequently failed identity testing during the first half of 2024.
 
CEO Elan Sudberg described the companies that test with Alkemist as “the best of the best,” so the contract testing lab may not see as many failures as some other labs. However, sharing the ingredients that are currently the most problematic is valuable to the industry.
 
All were tested using High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) to assess identity and quality of botanicals and various ingredients. HPTLC, for which Alkemist holds a flexible scope ISO 17025 accreditation, is able to detect adulterants and contamination, such as containing incorrect plant parts, closely related species, and unknowns. This technique is applicable to crude raw botanicals from powdered to whole form, extract (powdered or liquid), and finished product/blends.
 
This list is representative of the products Alkemist’s manufacturer clients are testing before they are included in their products as well as some finished products. 
 

Latin Name	Common Name*
Echinacea purpurea	Echinacea purpurea
Eleutherococcus senticosus	Eleuthero
Ganoderma lucidum	Reishi
Gynostemma pentaphyllum	Gynostemma
Hericium erinaceus	Lion’s mane
Malus pumila	Apple
Melissa officinalis	Lemon balm
Nasturtium officinale	Watercress
Olea europaea	Olive
Rhodiola rosea	Rhodiola
Sambucus nigra	Elderberry, European elder
Serenoa repens	Saw palmetto
Siraitia grosvenorii	Luo han guo, monk fruit
Stevia rebaudiana	Stevia
Taraxacum officinale	Dandelion
Trifolium pratense	Red clover
Urtica dioica	Nettle, stinging nettle
Vangueria agrestis**	Bakin gagai (Hausa)
Vitis vinifera	Grape
Withania somnifera	Ashwagandha

 
*Common names are as listed in AHPA’s Herbs of Commerce 3rd Edition, the definitive guide to proper botanical and fungi labeling.
** Not listed in Herbs of Commerce
 
Several of the materials on this list are making a repeat appearance, including Eleuthero, Lion’s mane, apple, monk fruit, nettle, grape, ashwagandha, and the botanical that saw the most failures in 2023, elderberry.
 
“We encourage brands to be especially careful sourcing these materials, and make sure they are tested by the most competent labs,” Sudberg said. “ We also suggest that anyone involved in raw material sourcing familiarize themselves with the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) and have a policy in place for dealing with serious quality issues before they need it.”