Spectral fingerprint analysis of Mesua ferrea Linn. and its adulterants using FTIR and GC-MS techniques

Abstract

Nagkesar, the stamens of Mesua ferrea Linn. is usually substituted with unripe fruits of Cinnamomum wightii Meisn. and buds of Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth and Hook f. knowingly and unknowingly in the markets of India. The present study was carried out to develop FTIR and GC-MS fingerprints to distinguish M. ferrea Linn. from its adulterants. Powdered plant samples were subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and GC-MS analysis analysis. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of various functional groups like alcohols, phenols, alkanes, alkenes, carbonyls, alkyl halides, and aromatic compounds in all plant samples with peaks at different absorption, respectively. The FTIR analysis reveals distinct spectrum patterns helping to distinguish the adulterants. The presence of 2-Propanone, 1- hydroxy (C3H6O2), Hexanoic acid, 2- methyl (C7H14O2), 1b, 4a- Epoxy-2H-cyclopenta [3, 4] cyclopropa [8, 9] cycloundec [1, 2-b] oxiren-5 (1aH0-one, 2, 7, 9, 19-tetrakis(acetyloxy) decahydro-3, 6, 8, 8, 10a- pentamethyl (C28H38O11), Furanacetic acid, 4- hexyl-2, 5-dihydro-2, 5-dioxo (C12H16O5), Formicacid, 3, 7, 11-trimethyl-1, 6, 10-dodecatrien-3-yl ester (C16H26O2) in the stamens of Mesua ferrea Linn. were determine through GC-MS analysis. These compounds can thus aid in detecting adulteration as they are absent in the adulterants. The spectral fingerprints showed that there is no relation between the genuine drug and the adulterants. The FTIR and GC-MS chromatogram exhibited enough variations for the identification of adulteration.