Identification and characterization by LC-UV-MS/MS of melanotan II skin-tanning products sold illegally on the Internet.

Study summary

Main finding

Analyses detected melanotan II, quantities below the claimed contents, and impurities in samples from two shops.

What was studied: Chemical analysis of products from three online shops
How the study was set up: Laboratory methods tested Melanotan II vials purchased from three online shops.
What the researchers measured: Chromatography and mass spectrometry assessed peptide identity, quantity, purity, and unknown impurities.
How to read this evidence: This paper examines laboratory measurements or analytical methods. It is not a study of treatment outcomes in people.

Results in context

Contents differed from label claims in the sampled vials. The paper tests those products and analytical methods, not clinical outcomes or the quality of products sold here.

What this does not establish

A small historical sample does not characterize every supplier or any current batch; chemical testing is not a clinical safety study.

Publication & source

Why this paper is included: The compound is a named subject of the publication title.
Publication indexing: Journal Article · Validation Study
Indexed subjects: Chromatography, Liquid · Illicit Drugs · Internet · Limit of Detection · Peptides, Cyclic · Tandem Mass Spectrometry · alpha-MSH
Source checked: October 4, 2026. Years follow journal issues; online-first dates may differ.

Open PubMed record PMID 24771717 · Journal and full-text links

Educational research information. A publication does not verify the identity, quality, or safety of products sold here.

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