Análise comparativa entre o teor de cafeína informado no rótulo de suplementos para atletas em relação ao quantificado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE)

Introduction: Caffeine supplements have been used as an ergogenic resource, and their effects are seen mainly in the Central Nervous System (CNS), increasing alertness and decreasing fatigue on endurance exercises. Despite the high market potential, the supplements sold in Brazil confront with serious problem of low quality, which has motivated discussions to change the law Objective: To analyze the caffeine content present in eight brands of national caffeine supplements for athletes and to compare with as reported on the labels. Materials and Methods: Eight caffeine supplements from different brands were purchased at a food supplements store in Nova Odessa-SP city. The samples were analyzed in triplicate by the High Performed Liquid Chromatography method (HPLC) at the Institute of Food Technology (ITAL). Results: Significant differences were found in relation to caffeine content present on the labels compared to that analyzed in the lab; contents above 110% and below 80% were observed, besides the average weight of the capsules were outside the limits of variation required by the National Formulary of the Brazilian Pharmacopeia. Discussion: The strain of the information presents on the labels due to the lack of standardization between capsules and caffeine tablets do not respect the right of the consumer, join with this problem the indiscriminate consumption of supplements associated with untrusted information can lead to health damage. Conclusion: This study showed significant differences between the caffeine content reported on supplements labels with that determined by HPLC. Introdução: Os suplementos de cafeína têm sido utilizados como recurso ergogênico, sendo seus efeitos visualizados principalmente no Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC), aumentando o estado de alerta e reduzindo a fadiga nos exercícios de resistência. Apesar do grande potencial de mercado os suplementos comercializados no Brasil esbarram no grave problema da baixa qualidade, o que vem motivando discussões para alteração da legislação Objetivo: Analisar o teor de cafeína presente em oito marcas de suplementos nacionais de cafeína para atletas e comparar com o informado nos rótulos. Materiais e Métodos: Foram adquiridas em uma loja de suplementos alimentares da cidade de Nova Odessa-SP, oito suplementos de cafeína de diferentes marcas. As amostras foram analisadas, em triplicata, pelo método de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), no Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL)