Under contract with the NIH and FDA, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, a worldwide provider and facilitator in the development of analytical standards, has embarked on an effort to develop a group of fully validated analytical methods for selected dietary supplements through the AOAC® Official Methods^SM Program.  AOAC has engaged Working Groups representing key stakeholders interested in specific dietary supplement ingredients to help drive and speed up this effort.

An AOAC Working Group on MSM, Chaired by David Lakey, President, Cardinal Nutrition, was created to drive and ensure the development of standardized analytical method(s) for MSM (Dimethyl Sulfone, also known as Methylsulfonyl Methane). It is made up of key industry and organizational executives and their technical representatives who are supporting the validation of a standardized method(s) for MSM (see MSM Working Group Roster). 
 
The Working Group is currently issuing a call for methods for dimethyl sulfone, also known as Methylsulfonyl Methane in dietary supplements.

The Working Group is seeking:

1. A method that will be used for both raw materials and finished dosage products (including multi-component formulations such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin).
2. A method that quantifies MSM as a major component and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) as a trace impurity at 500PPM.
3. Gas Chromatographic methods are considered the best choice for this analyte, but methods with differing analytical approaches will be considered.
4. In addition to a detailed method, please submit any validation data to support the method validity and indicate whether reference standards are available and their source.  For sample criteria, see the AOAC “Single Laboratory Validation Guidelines” for sample criteria at http://www.aoac.org/dietsupp6/Dietary-Supplement-web-site/DSHomePage2.html and click on “Training Materials.”  Note that it is not mandatory that a method be validated to the SLV standards to be considered.

If your method has not been developed for all the needs listed above but you feel it is highly adaptable, please consider submitting it with a rationale of why it should be considered.  Note that your method should not be proprietary, or have any licensing requirements.

After initial screening by the MSM Working Group, selected methods will be evaluated by an AOAC Expert Review Panel composed of scientific experts in the analysis of dietary supplements and with experience in the validation of methods. This Panel will select a method(s) that will be evaluated in a subsequent Single Laboratory Validation (SLV) study or, if sufficient supporting data warrants skipping the SLV, a full interlaboratory collaborative study.

Please submit, preferably an electronic copy of the method(s), or contact Al Pohland, AOAC Chief Science Officer apohland@aoac.org, 301 924-7077 ext. 123, with a copy to Jennifer Diatz jdiatz@aoac.org  Tel: 301 924-7077 ext. 107; Fax: 301 924-7089.  The deadline for submitting methods is January 31, 2006.

For more information on becoming part of the Working Group on MSM or other AOAC Dietary Supplement Working Groups , contact Anita Mishra, amishra@aoac.org, Tel: 301 924-7077 ext. 131.

Working Group Names as of January 3, 2006)

Lakey, David A. (Chair)
Cardinal Nutrition

Brahmbhatt, Manoj
Rexall Sundown

Cleary, Michael
Nutrition Now

Griffin, David
Nutramax

Grindstaff, Jeff
Columbia Analytical Services, Inc.

Hebert, Derek (observer)
Nutramax

Kababick, James P.
Flora Research

Lunetta, Steve
Pharmavite

Majewski, Sharon
Cardinal Nutrition

McKinley, Everett
Cerilliant

Meibos, Ralph
San Raphael Labs

Myers, Rick
Schiff Nutrition

Nardo, Joseph
Nutramax

Scott, Donna (observer)
Nutramax

Shoemaker, Al
NBTY

Skamarack, Jules
Eurofins

Sullivan, Darryl
Covance Labs

Travis, John
NSF

Yates, Chris
Fine Nutraceuticals

Zhou, Joseph
NOW Foods

Pohland, Al, Chief Science Officer
AOAC INTERNATIONAL
481 N Frederick Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Bus: (301) 924-7077 ext 123
E-mail: APohland@AOAC.ORG

Diatz, Jennifer, AOAC Staff Liaison
Bus: (301) 924-7077 ext107
Bus Fax: (301) 924-7089
E-mail: JDiatz@AOAC.ORG