Integrated Phytochemical and Chromatographic Analysis for Detection of Adulteration in Terminalia chebula Fruit Rind Powder

Background

Terminalia chebula Retz. is a well-recognized medicinal plant widely used in the Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine, wherein the fruit rind is designated as the official therapeutic component. Admixture of the nut (kernel) portion with fruit rind powder has become a growing concern due to increased demand, potentially compromising quality, safety and therapeutic efficacy.

Objectives

This study was designed to develop useful analytical approach for the identification and detection of nut admixture in Terminalia chebula fruit rind powder.

Materials and Methods

Comparative evaluation of fruit rind and nut samples was performed using physicochemical analysis, total fat estimation by gravimetric (Soxhlet) extraction, fatty acid profiling through Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) derivatization followed by gas chromatography, phenolic marker assessment using HPLC-PDA and triglyceride detection using HPLC-ELSD. Mixture and spiking studies at different fruit rind-nut ratios were conducted to evaluate chromatographic variations.

Results

The nut and kernel portions showed significantly higher total fat and triglyceride content than the fruit rind, whereas the fruit rind showed elevated concentrations of key phenolic markers, including gallic acid, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid and ellagic acid. Chromatographic profiling showed distinct and reproducible differences between samples, with proportional enhancement of triglyceride peaks observed as nut content increased.

Conclusion

The integrated phenolic and lipid profiling approach established in this study provides a sensitive, reproducible and analytical strategy for detecting nut admixture in Terminalia chebula fruit rind powder, thereby ensuring authenticity, quality control and compliance with pharmacopeial standards.