Trace elemental fingerprinting of Ayurvedic medicine. Triphala Churna using XRF and ICPMS

Analytical techniques employing energetic beams are widely used for material characterization. In the present study, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to prepare the trace elemental profile of the Ayurvedic formulation - Triphala Churna. The samples were prepared as per the procedure referred to in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Profiles for major, minor and trace elements were prepared for the formulation as well as the constituent herbs qualitatively and quantitatively. The profile will act as a fingerprint reference data for the quality assurance of the formulation and as a novel and sensitive method for the standardization of herbal compound medicines. (author)