# A new database to guide reference material selection for dietary supplement and nutrition science

## TL;DR

A new database helps researchers find suitable reference materials for studying dietary supplements and nutrition.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a publicly accessible database to streamline the selection of reference materials for dietary supplement research.

## Key findings

- The Reference Materials Search Tool database was developed to aid in finding traceable reference materials.
- The tool enhances research capabilities for dietary supplement and natural product chemical analysis.

## Abstract

Rigorous research on the health effects of dietary supplements and related nutritional interventions requires thorough chemical characterization of complex matrices for their composition of macro- and micronutrients, botanical phytochemicals, and potential contaminants. Reference materials (RMs) with metrologically traceable values for these specific properties are ideal analytical tools to ensure requisite chemical measurements are reliable. However, identifying and comparing appropriate RMs for studying dietary ingredients and their metabolites is challenging, creating a barrier to reproducible regulatory testing and research. To address this challenge, the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health coordinated the development of a new publicly available Reference Materials Search Tool (https://odsrmst.od.nih.gov/) database featuring comprehensive data records and search and comparison functionality. The RMST significantly expands research capacities to discover and select fit for purpose reference materials for dietary supplement and related food and natural product chemical analysis.