Sources and marker compounds in common nutraceuticals MCQs With Answer

Sources and marker compounds in common nutraceuticals are essential for B.Pharm students studying phytochemistry, quality control, and standardization of herbal and dietary supplements. This topic reviews botanical, algal and marine sources; major bioactive classes (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, phenolics, carotenoids); and characteristic marker compounds such as curcumin, ginsenosides, silymarin, resveratrol, berberine and omega‑3 fatty acids. Emphasis is given to analytical methods (HPLC, TLC, LC‑MS, GC‑MS, UV), marker selection for assay and identity testing, extraction techniques, stability and potency, and regulatory quality assurance. Mastery of these concepts supports formulation development, safety assessment, and therapeutic efficacy of nutraceuticals. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which marker compound is most commonly used to standardize turmeric (Curcuma longa) preparations?

• Ginsenoside Rb1
• Curcumin
• Silybin
• Resveratrol

Correct Answer: Curcumin

Q2. Ginsenosides are characteristic marker compounds of which nutraceutical source?

• Milk thistle
• Ginkgo biloba
• Panax ginseng
• Soybean

Correct Answer: Panax ginseng

Q3. Silymarin is a marker mixture extracted from which plant used in hepatoprotective nutraceuticals?

• Withania somnifera
• Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Equisetum arvense
• Silybum marianum

Correct Answer: Silybum marianum

Q4. Which analytical technique provides the best combination of separation and mass identification for marker compounds in complex nutraceutical extracts?

• TLC
• HPLC-UV
• LC-MS
• Colorimetric assay

Correct Answer: LC-MS

Q5. Berberine is a marker alkaloid commonly associated with which plant genus used in nutraceuticals?

• Berberis
• Camellia
• Vaccinium
• Curcuma

Correct Answer: Berberis

Q6. Which class of phytochemicals does quercetin belong to, often used as a marker for antioxidant nutraceuticals?

• Alkaloids
• Flavonoids
• Saponins
• Terpenoids

Correct Answer: Flavonoids

Q7. Lycopene, a carotenoid marker, is primarily sourced from which food used in nutraceuticals?

• Tomato
• Spinach
• Blueberry
• Garlic

Correct Answer: Tomato

Q8. Which marker compound is used to standardize milk thistle extracts for hepatoprotective potency?

• Resveratrol
• Silybin
• Curcumin
• Andrographolide

Correct Answer: Silybin

Q9. Which nutraceutical marker is an omega-3 fatty acid commonly measured for fish oil quality?

• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• Vitamin E
• Beta-carotene
• Allicin

Correct Answer: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Q10. Piperine is added to some curcumin formulations primarily to:

• Act as a preservative
• Enhance solubility in water
• Increase oral bioavailability
• Provide flavor

Correct Answer: Increase oral bioavailability

Q11. Which marker compound is diagnostic for green tea extracts and often quantified in nutraceuticals?

• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
• Genistein
• Gingerol
• Rosmarinic acid

Correct Answer: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Q12. Hypericin is a marker compound for which herbal nutraceutical known for mood-related claims?

• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Valeriana officinalis
• Matricaria chamomilla
• Melissa officinalis

Correct Answer: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Q13. Which extraction solvent is typically preferred for isolating non-polar carotenoid markers like beta-carotene and lycopene?

• Water
• Ethanol
• Hexane
• Acetone-water (1:1)

Correct Answer: Hexane

Q14. Diosgenin is a steroidal saponin marker commonly associated with which nutraceutical source?

• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Black cohosh
• Green tea

Correct Answer: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Q15. Which marker compound would you expect in garlic-based nutraceuticals and is responsible for its characteristic odor and biological activity?

• Allicin
• Luteolin
• Anthocyanin
• Huperzine A

Correct Answer: Allicin

Q16. Which method is most suitable for rapid fingerprinting of multiple marker compounds in a herbal extract?

• Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
• Melting point determination
• Optical rotation
• Atomic absorption spectrometry

Correct Answer: Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

Q17. Andrographolide is the main marker for standardization of which bitter herbal nutraceutical?

• Andrographis paniculata
• Curcuma longa
• Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Panax ginseng

Correct Answer: Andrographis paniculata

Q18. Which of the following is a common criterion when selecting a marker compound for standardization?

• Marker must be the only active constituent
• Marker should be easy to quantify and chemically stable
• Marker should always be volatile
• Marker must be colorless

Correct Answer: Marker should be easy to quantify and chemically stable

Q19. Genistein is a characteristic isoflavone marker found in which nutraceutical source?

• Soybean (Glycine max)
• Turmeric
• Ginseng
• Milk thistle

Correct Answer: Soybean (Glycine max)

Q20. Which marker is typically used to assess the authenticity and quality of cranberry extracts?

• Proanthocyanidins
• Gallic acid only
• Capsaicin
• Menthol

Correct Answer: Proanthocyanidins

Q21. For volatile marker compounds such as essential oil constituents, which analytical technique is preferred?

• GC-MS
• HPLC-UV
• LC-MS
• FTIR

Correct Answer: GC-MS

Q22. Which compound serves as a major marker for effectiveness in Boswellia (frankincense) nutraceuticals?

• Boswellic acids
• Catechin
• Salicin
• Silibinin

Correct Answer: Boswellic acids

Q23. What is the main reason to choose a specific marker compound rather than the whole extract for quality control?

• Markers are always more potent than full extracts
• Markers simplify and standardize quantitative analysis across batches
• Whole extracts cannot be analyzed by any technique
• Markers eliminate the need for stability testing

Correct Answer: Markers simplify and standardize quantitative analysis across batches

Q24. Which nutraceutical marker is commonly quantified to standardize black cohosh preparations used for menopausal symptoms?

• Actein (a triterpene glycoside)
• Curcumin
• Lycopene
• EGCG

Correct Answer: Actein (a triterpene glycoside)

Q25. Rosmarinic acid is a phenolic marker commonly found in which of the following herbal sources used in nutraceuticals?

• Rosemary and some Lamiaceae like sage and lemon balm
• Black pepper
• Fish oil
• Ginseng only

Correct Answer: Rosemary and some Lamiaceae like sage and lemon balm

Q26. Which marker compound is characteristic of cranberry and contributes to urinary tract health claims?

• Proanthocyanidins A-type
• Alkaloid berberine
• Omega-6 fatty acids
• Saponin diosgenin

Correct Answer: Proanthocyanidins A-type

Q27. Which parameter is most critical when validating an HPLC assay for a nutraceutical marker?

• Color of the mobile phase
• Specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity
• Shape of the lab coat
• Ambient room temperature only

Correct Answer: Specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity

Q28. Which marker is used for standardization of turmeric formulations that include curcuminoid mixture rather than a single compound?

• Total curcuminoids (sum of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin)
• Single flavonoid myricetin
• Single terpene limonene
• Only total phenolic index

Correct Answer: Total curcuminoids (sum of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin)

Q29. Which marker compound helps identify adulteration of olive oil with seed oils when analyzed in nutraceutical quality testing?

• Specific sterol profile (e.g., campesterol, stigmasterol ratios)
• Vitamin B12 level
• Curcumin concentration
• Flavonoid glycosides only

Correct Answer: Specific sterol profile (e.g., campesterol, stigmasterol ratios)

Q30. Which statement best describes the role of marker compounds in regulatory submissions for nutraceuticals?

• Markers are optional and never requested by regulators
• Markers provide measurable identity and potency data required for quality specifications
• Markers replace clinical trials completely
• Markers are only used for flavor profiling

Correct Answer: Markers provide measurable identity and potency data required for quality specifications

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