Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products

Chemical methods are the most important and widely used traditional plant identification techniques recommended by national international pharmacopoeias. We have reviewed successful use of different chemical for botanical authentication 2,386 commercial herbal products, sold in 37 countries spread over six continents. The majority analyzed products were reported to be authentic (73%) but more than a quarter proved adulterated (27%). At level, number adulteration proportions varied very widely. Yet, four countries, from which 100 purchased their ingredients chemically authenticated, was 37% (United Kingdom), 31% (Italy), 27% States), 21% (China). Simple or hyphenated analytical identified total absence labeled ingredients, substitution with closely related unrelated species, biological filler material, hidden presence regulated, forbidden allergenic species. Additionally, affecting safety efficacy other low quality aspects reported: considerable variability metabolic profile and/or phytochemical content, significant product-to-product variation even between batches same manufacturer, misleading quantity label claims. Choosing an appropriate technique can only possibility assessing authenticity samples lost diagnostic microscopic characteristics processed so that DNA cannot adequately recovered.