NanoRam-1064 Fast Facts: Botanical Verification

Significance of the Topic

Botanical extracts serve as the foundation of the nutraceutical industry, offering therapeutic and medicinal benefits derived from plant materials. Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, botanicals face less stringent regulation but still require robust quality control to ensure identity, purity, strength and composition. Raman spectroscopy provides a rapid, non-destructive approach for raw material verification, yet traditional 785 nm devices often struggle with sample fluorescence, limiting their applicability for highly pigmented botanical samples.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note evaluates the performance of a handheld 1064 nm Raman spectrometer (NanoRam®-1064) for verification of four botanical samples: vitamin K2, pomegranate extract, Rhodiola rosea and grape seed extract. The goals are to demonstrate fluorescence minimization, establish individual identification methods, and assess specificity based on statistical criteria.

Methodology and Instrumentation

A NanoRam-1064 handheld Raman spectrometer (model BWT-840000953) equipped with a point-and-shoot adapter was employed. Botanical samples were scanned in their sealed plastic bags using 1064 nm excitation. Laser power was set to ~380 mW (90%) for the yellow-pigmented vitamin K2 sample and ~42 mW (10%) for darker extracts. Each sample underwent five replicate scans at different spots. Identification mode applied a multivariate algorithm, generating a unique method for each botanical. Compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and major pharmacopeias ensured a cGMP-ready workflow.

Key Results and Discussion

Switching from 785 nm to 1064 nm excitation significantly reduced fluorescence in grape seed extract and other pigmented samples, revealing characteristic Raman peaks previously obscured. Method specificity was assessed via p-value thresholds (α = 0.05): p-values above 0.05 indicated a pass, while those below indicated failure. A specificity matrix confirmed that each botanical method correctly passed its target sample and rejected all others, validating the robustness of the NanoRam-1064 approach.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Non-destructive testing through transparent containers preserves sample integrity.
• Rapid in-field and warehouse verification accelerates material flow and reduces quarantine.
• User-friendly operation allows non-technical personnel to perform reliable QA/QC checks.
• Compliance with USP, EP, JP and Chinese pharmacopeias supports regulatory acceptance.

Future Trends and Applications

Advances may include integration of artificial intelligence for automated spectral interpretation, expansion of botanical libraries to cover a wider range of dietary supplements, and inline process monitoring in manufacturing. Continued miniaturization and cost reduction will further democratize handheld Raman technology across pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.

Conclusion

The NanoRam-1064 handheld Raman spectrometer effectively overcomes fluorescence challenges in botanical verification, delivering specific, reproducible identification of diverse plant extracts. Its compliance with global pharmacopeial standards and ease of use make it a valuable tool for modern cGMP environments.

References

• Metrohm AG. NanoRam-1064 Fast Facts: Botanical Verification (Application Note 410000049-A).
• United States Pharmacopeia. General Chapter <858>: Raman Spectroscopy.
• European Pharmacopeia. Chapter 2.2.48: Raman Spectroscopy.
• Japanese Pharmacopeia. Chapter 2.26: Raman Spectroscopy.
• People’s Republic of China Pharmacopeia. Directives on Raman Spectroscopy.
• US FDA. Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR Part 11.