A simple GC-MS method for the screening of betulinic, corosolic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid contents in commercial botanicals used as food supplement ingredients

► A GC-MS method for the simultaneous detection of triterpenic acids in botanicals was set up. ► Thirty eight botanicals from different sources and preparations were evaluated. ► Decoctions and fluid hydroalcoholic extracts were devoid of pentacyclic triterpenic acids. ► Lagerstroemia dried extract contained more than 22 g/kg of pentacyclic triterpenic acids.