SABER Applauds Dr. Paula N. Brown for Landmark JAOAC Paper Exposing Misbranded “Kratom Extracts” with Elevated 7-Hydroxymitragynine

New peer-reviewed research provides a clear scientific basis to distinguish authentic kratom from synthetic/adulterated products, advancing consumer safety and evidence-based regulation.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) congratulates Steering Committee member Dr. Paula N. Brown and co-authors on the publication of “Elevated 7-Hydroxymitragynine Levels Found in Products Misbranded as Kratom” in the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (JAOAC). The paper, highlighted by AOAC International this week, documents products marketed as “kratom extracts” that, on analysis, contained unnaturally high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG), inconsistent with authentic botanical profiles, which signals adulteration or the presence of synthetic derivatives.

Using AOAC Official Method 2017.14, Brown et al. demonstrate that several retail products labeled as “kratom” exhibit 7-HMG concentrations far beyond natural occurrence, alongside alkaloid patterns that deviate from genuine Mitragyna speciosa leaf. This is evidence that these items are misbranded and chemically distinct from the botanical. This work equips regulators, laboratories, and responsible companies with validated analytical tools to differentiate natural kratom from illicit, semi-synthetic products masquerading as the plant.

“Dr. Brown’s team has delivered exactly what consumers and regulators need: method-driven, reproducible evidence that separates authentic kratom from dangerous impostors,” said Dr. Mary Hardy, SABER Steering Committee member. “This paper marks a turning point for science-based policy and responsible market practices.”

The publication arrives amid growing public-health concern regarding concentrated or semi-synthetic 7-HMG products, which differ pharmacologically from mitragynine-dominant kratom and have been flagged by U.S. health authorities. The FDA recently reiterated that 7-HMG is not lawful in dietary supplements and warned of risks associated with products containing this compound. This underscores the urgency of reliable methods to identify and remove such products from commerce.

“Our mission at SABER is to elevate botanical science and protect public health,” added Dr. Paula Brown, SABER Steering Committee member. “By pairing validated methods with transparent reporting, this paper sets a high bar for quality control and helps ensure that natural kratom is not conflated with synthetic derivatives.”

About the Study

Title: Elevated 7-Hydroxymitragynine Levels Found in Products Misbranded as Kratom (Research Article, JAOAC, published October 9, 2025).

Key contribution: Application of AOAC Official Method 2017.14 to confirm excessive 7-HMG and non-native alkaloid profiles in products sold as “kratom extracts,” supporting regulatory differentiation between authentic botanicals and adulterated/synthetic products.

About SABER (saberscience.org)

The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is a nonprofit consortium of physicians, pharmacognosists, and public-health experts committed to advancing rigorous science, education, and standards for botanicals. SABER promotes validated methods, responsible manufacturing, and evidence-based policy to safeguard consumers and foster innovation.