REVIEW ON FTIR-BASED MOLECULAR FINGERPRINTING OF AYURVEDIC HERBS AND FORMULATIONS

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive, and reliable analytical technique for the evaluation of Ayurvedic drugs. This review focuses on the application of FTIR-based molecular fingerprinting in herbal, polyherbal, herbo-mineral, and Bhasma formulations. Relevant literature from peer-reviewed journals was analyzed to understand the role of FTIR in identifying functional groups, chemical bonding, and organic–inorganic interactions. FTIR spectra of various Ayurvedic drugs consistently show characteristic absorption bands such as O–H, N–H, C–H, C=O, and C–O, which correspond to phytochemicals like phenols, alkaloids, proteins, and glycosides, as well as metal–oxygen bonds in Bhasma. These spectral patterns provide a unique chemical fingerprint that helps in authentication, detection of adulteration, and assessment of batch consistency. The study also highlights that organic functional groups in herbo-mineral formulations arise from herbal processing (Bhāvanā), while inorganic signatures are due to transformations during Māraṇa. Despite its advantages, FTIR has limitations such as overlapping peaks and lack of quantitative accuracy. Overall, FTIR plays a crucial role in the quality control and standardization of Ayurvedic medicines, and its integration with other analytical techniques can further enhance scientific validation and global acceptance.