Integrated analytical assets aid botanical authenticity and adulteration management

Abstract

This article reviews and develops a perspective for the meaning of authenticity in the context of quality assessment of botanical materials and the challenges associated with discerning adulterations vs. contaminations vs. impurities. Authentic botanicals are by definition non-adulterated, a mutually exclusive relationship that is confirmed through the application of a multilayered set of analytical methods designed to validate the (chemo)taxonomic identity of a botanical and certify that it is devoid of any adulteration. In practice, the ever-increasing sophistication in the process of intentional adulteration, as well as the growing number of botanicals entering the market, altogether necessitate a constant adaptation and reinforcement of authentication methods with new approaches, especially new technologies. This article summarizes the set of analytical methods - classical and contemporary - that can be employed in the authentication of botanicals. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics. An NMR-based untargeted metabolomic model is proposed as a rapid, systematic, and complementary screening for the discrimination of authentic vs. potentially adulterated botanicals. Such analytical model can help advance the evaluation of botanical integrity in natural product research.

Turning Meadow Weeds Into Valuable Species for the Romanian Ethnomedicine While Complying With the Environmentally Friendly Farming Requirements of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy

“…supply of many species that are harvested from the wild (Coghlan et al, 2015) is stimulating the economicallymotivated adulteration (EMA) (Simmler et al, 2018). It was recently reported that 27% of almost 6,000 commercial herbal products sold in 37 countries were found to be adulterated, while in Europe almost half (47%) were adulterated.…”

Improving natural product research translation: From source to clinical trial

“…[12][13][14] The often incomplete and/or conflicting information on mechanisms of action, appropriate uses, and expected health effects poses challenges for formulating hypotheses and designing CT. [12][13][14] The often incomplete and/or conflicting information on mechanisms of action, appropriate uses, and expected health effects poses challenges for formulating hypotheses and designing CT.…”

“…ex DC differ significantly in the ratio of liquiritigenin to isoliquiritigenin, as well as in congeneric constituents, and are therefore expected to have different bioactivities. 14,124 Descriptions of approaches to NP selection and characterization have been published recently. 15,124 Identity and purity of all materials used, regardless of the supplier, should be verified prior to use.…”

“…15,124 Identity and purity of all materials used, regardless of the supplier, should be verified prior to use. 14,124 Descriptions of approaches to NP selection and characterization have been published recently. 17,22,114,125…”

Improving Natural Product Research Translation: from Source to Clinical Trial

“…Characterization sufficient for the detection of such minor components, known or unknown, is therefore critical for quality control and for monitoring batch-to-batch variation and stability (14,124). Identity and purity of all materials used, regardless of the supplier, should be verified prior to use (13,124). Descriptions of approaches to NP selection and characterization have been published recently (15,125,126).…”