DMAA likely to be synthetic in origin says study

Manufacturers of DMAA-based sports nutrition brands have been dealt another blow after a new study found no presence of the substance in geranium oil.

The ElSohly Laboratories Inc study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to examine authenticated geranium oil to determine if it contains detectable quantities of DMAA. The results were analysed using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry.

The data revealed no detectable level of DMAA in the authenticated or commercial geranium oil, which is supposed source of DMAA in sports nutrition products. However, the study did find high levels of DMAA in dietary supplements containing commercial geranium oil.

DMAA has been at the centre of an international health controversy after the use of sports supplements containing the product was linked to a variety of serious health conditions, including two deaths in the US. Regulators in Australia have taken emergency measures that may result in the prohibition of DMAA while the US, Canada, the UK and New Zealand have already moved to ban the stimulant.