Characterization of a suite of ginkgo-containing standard reference materials.

A suite of three ginkgo-containing dietary supplement Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) has been issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with certified values for flavonoid aglycones, ginkgolides, bilobalide, and selected toxic trace elements. The materials represent a range of matrices (i.e., plant, extract, and finished product) that provide different analytical challenges. The constituents have been determined by at least two independent analytical methods with measurements performed by NIST and at least one collaborating laboratory. The methods utilized different extractions, chromatographic separations, modes of detection, and approaches to quantitation. The SRMs are primarily intended for method validation and for use as control materials to support the analysis of dietary supplements and related botanical materials.