Advances in Non-Targeted/Targeted Methods for Quality Assurance of Food and Botanical Dietary Supplements

The fields of metabolomics in food and dietary supplement research are evolving rapidly. As consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, the demand for comprehensive studies that can address complex nutritional and biochemical questions has never been higher. Understanding the intricate relationships among food composition, dietary supplements, and human health requires robust analytical tools capable not only of precise quantification but also of broad, non-targeted characterization. Targeted methods allow precise quantification of known nutrients and bioactives, verifying that products meet label claims and safety standards. Non-targeted (or untargeted) approaches, including comprehensive metabolomic and chemometric techniques, complement this by broadly surveying the chemical profile of a product, uncovering unexpected compounds or variations that may indicate adulteration or changes in quality (1). Advanced technologies—from high-resolution mass spectrometry to machine learning—are now being harnessed to enhance these analytical capabilities, reflecting a broader evolution in food and supplement science. Together, these developments enable more accurate, sensitive, and comprehensive monitoring of food composition and supplement authenticity, ultimately safeguarding public health.