Selected latest applications of molecular spectroscopy in natural product analysis

Publication date: Available online 30 December 2016 Source:Phytochemistry Letters Author(s): Christian W. Huck The field of molecular vibrational spectroscopy applied to natural products is advancing extremely fast. Traditionally applied separation techniques (LC-, μ-LC–MS, GC, CE-MS) offer the advantages of high selectivity/sensitivity, but their application for routine quality control is limited due to long analyses times. Therefore, molecular spectroscopy in combination with multivariate analysis (MVA) enjoys excellent reputation, because of the fast and non-invasive measurement enabling the analysis of several physical and chemical parameters simultaneously. Near infrared (NIR; 4.000–10.000cm−1), attenuated total reflection (ATR; 400–4.000cm−1), Raman and far ultraviolet (FUV;120–200nm) spectroscopy have permanently increased their efficiencies for quality control of predominantly food stuff, but also of other natural products including mainly medicinal plants. All four techniques enable not only a quantitative analysis of potent ingredients, but also qualitative fingerprint analysis for the discrimination of, e.g., species and/or geographic origin, respectively. Thereby, each individual spectroscopic technique possesses its specific strength. Powerful miniaturized portable spectrometers based on linear variable tuneable filter (LVTF) or micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are helpful in order to prevent consumers from deception on one hand, on the oth...

Source: Phytochemistry Letters - December 30, 2016 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research