Planta Med 2007; 73 - WS_4_01
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986769

Identification and authentication of herbal substances

C Franz 1, B Klier 2, E Reich 3, J Novak 1
  • 1Institute for Applied Botany and Pharmacognosy, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna
  • 2Phytolab GmbH & Co. KG, D-91487 Vestenbergsgreuth
  • 3CAMAG-Laboratories, CH-4132 Muttenz

Due to the increasingly high number of plant species used as starting materials for herbal medicinal products and the risk of admixtures and adulterations with related or similar species identification along the production and processing chain is a crucial problem. Identity and purity is usually tested by macro- and microscopic as well as chromatographic methods, preferably TLC. The most recent developments in HPTLC and the characterisation of herbal materials by specific chromatographic fingerprints will be discussed. In addition, DNA analysis has become a novel technique for identification and authentication of raw materials and monitoring throughout the production chain. Depending on their practicability the different DNA based methods may supplement or substitute other identity tests.