Comparison of Techniques for Identification of Plant Adulteration in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees Herbal Products among Microscopy, High-Performance Thin- Layer Chromatography, and MassARRAY- Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Comparison of Techniques for Identification of Adulteration in Andrographis paniculata Products
Keywords:
Andrographis paniculata, Adulteration in herbal product, Microscopic identification, HPTLC, MassARRAYAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2021 led to an increased demand for Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (AP) products, resulting in rising prices and adulteration of products with other herbal materials. This study aimed to authenticate A. paniculata capsule products. Thirteen samples were purchased from traditional drugstores and local herbal shops, and one product was obtained from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD). Multiple authentication techniques were applied, comprising microscopic identification, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification using the MassARRAY-MALDI-TOF. Microscopic examination confirmed that 11 samples did not contain A. paniculata. The HPTLC method was used to detect andrographolide, a marker compound characteristic of this herb. The results showed that 11 samples exhibited chromatographic profiles consistent with authentic A. paniculata, while two samples and one sample obtained from CPPD lacked andrographolide. The MassARRAY analysis further revealed adulteration in 11 samples, identifying three as authentic A. paniculata, two as Azadirachta indica A. Juss, eight as mixtures of A. paniculata, A. indica, and Tinospora crispa (L.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thomson, and the sample from CPPD as T. crispa. This study indicates that although HPTLC is suitable for preliminary chemical screening, the MassARRAY technique provides higher sensitivity and specificity for confirming herbal authenticity. The integration of these three analytical approaches (microscopy, HPTLC, and MassARRAY) enhances the reliability of species authentication and supports consumer protection against adulterated A. paniculata products.
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