Having a high-quality botanical any reference substance is essential for your study. Here are a few tips on what to look for in botanical references.
Reverse pharmacology
Phytomedicine can be a valuable tool in the fight against the disease. The food supplement industry is no exception to this rule and the quality of botanical reference. They blend phytochemicals from various foods to create synergistic servings.
There are many benefits to reverse pharmacology over traditional drug discovery methods. It can optimize safety, reduce cost and time, and enhance modern science and technology collaboration. However, reverse pharmacology is not for the faint of heart. In order to be successful, reverse pharmacology must be accompanied by well-thought-out experimental designs.
While reverse pharmacology is not a new concept, it is still not widely practised. One study found that indigenous pharmacopoeias, such as the Philippine pharmacopoeia, have over-relied on certain plant families. In particular, Orchidaceae and Poaceae are over-represented.
Analytical techniques to determine authenticity
The authenticity of botanical references is a crucial parameter for honey quality control. Moreover, honey is one of the highest-value, globally-consumed food products. However, there are many potential adulterations of this food product. Some examples of adulteration include adding inverted sugar syrups, corn syrups, melamine and wheat gluten. Other adulterations include mixing inferior honey with genuine products or adding foreign matter.
Several analytical techniques have been employed in the study of honey authenticity. These techniques have different advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are described in the following discussion.
The most common and reliable analytical techniques for adulteration detection include NMR spectroscopy, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), and SNIF-NMR(r). In addition, chemometric tools are also required for extracting useful conclusions from NMR spectra.
Genetic testing
Currently, there is a myriad of options available for genetic testing of botanical reference. These include analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and nanotechnology. But despite their relative advantages and disadvantages, these techniques are not yet applicable to all botanical ingredients.
Phytochemical testing is a powerful tool for identifying contaminants in botanical products. Using this technique, it is possible to detect a range of contaminants, including heavy metals, mycotoxins (fungal toxins), and pesticides. Moreover, the ability to detect a range of contaminants allows for the efficient detection of potential adulterations and product contamination.
DNA barcoding has been suggested as a botanical ingredient authentication tool. But it is not clear if DNA barcoding is the best choice for this purpose. In fact, some studies suggest that targeted metabolites in plants are altered during processing. This could result in test results that are a little more variable than expected.
Fingerprinting
Whether it is a food product, drug or an ingredient, botanical fingerprinting can be applied to identify the ingredients and quality of botanicals. It can also be used for the authentication of raw materials.
There are several chemical fingerprinting methods available today. Among the most common are Gas Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. The most appropriate fingerprinting technique depends on the nature of the plant material.
The phytochemical analysis uses high-resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography to determine the exact composition of plant materials. This method allows precise quantification of specific phytochemicals.
In addition to a spectral correlation method, phytochemical reference standards are also used with samples to establish identity. This method helps the industry to meet cGMP ingredient identification requirements.
Lack of specificity in study material
Having a botanical reference material in your arsenal will improve your quality assurance process. They are also a great way to showcase the scientific methods you employ and the best practices you use when you manufacture natural products. NP chemical characterization is a prerequisite to any clinical investigation, especially when it comes to safety assessments.
A botanical reference material (BRM) is a botanical whose identity has been confirmed. This could be a botanical voucher or some other tidbit of information. It’s also a good idea to compare your reference material to test samples. You may also wish to cite reference material in a formal document, such as a GMP guidance document.
Usage of pharmacopeial standards
Identifying and assessing the quality of plant materials is an important aspect of manufacturing botanical medicines. Although botanical medicines are an increasingly important part of the healthcare industry worldwide, there are still challenges between academicians and manufacturers when it comes to quality control.
The quality of botanical medicines can be assessed through several different techniques. These techniques range from classical botanical assessment to genetic testing. Genetic testing is especially useful for identifying potentially adulterating species. However, genetic testing is limited by the lack of transparency regarding genetic testing practices.
Molecular identification of plants is challenging classical botany. It requires specialized training and specialized equipment. Most modern pharmacopoeias include high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). HPTLC chromatographic fingerprints can detect the presence of adulterants in botanical products. This technique is also useful for determining the concentration of multiple compounds in a botanical.