Phytochemical Screening of Herbal Raw Materials and Extracts
Herbal raw materials and finished AYUSH preparations are characterised first by phytochemical screening — the qualitative and semi-quantitative identification of phytoconstituent classes that confirm what kinds of bioactives are present. Without this baseline screen, marker-compound quantification can target the wrong class, raw material substitution can pass unnoticed, and the AYUSH licence dossier loses the phytochemistry layer that the API monograph asks for. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited phytochemical screening across the full class panel using established pharmacopoeial wet-chemistry methods and HPTLC class confirmation.
Our scope covers alkaloids (Mayer's, Wagner's, Dragendorff's, Hager's), flavonoids (Shinoda, alkaline reagent, lead acetate), tannins and phenolics (ferric chloride, gelatin, Folin-Ciocalteu), saponins and triterpenoids (foam test, haemolysis, Liebermann-Burchard, Salkowski), glycosides and anthraquinones (Keller-Kiliani, Borntrager, Molisch), and additional classes including carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, coumarins, volatile oils, and resins. Total-class quantitative add-ons — total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu, total flavonoids by aluminium chloride colourimetry, total alkaloids — are available alongside the qualitative screen.
Testing is performed at our Delhi HQ (Arbro Analytical Division, NABL TC-7375) — India's first herbal testing lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, AYUSH approved since 2004 (DTL-01 A&U), and holder of the Unani licence. Methods follow the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), WHO Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials, and IP / USP / EP herbal monographs. Backed by the Arbro Group's unbroken NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation since 2003, reports are accepted by the Ministry of AYUSH, CDSCO, and EU / US / Gulf / ASEAN export regulators.
Six Phytochemical Class Panels
Each card shows the phytoconstituent class, the standard pharmacopoeial reagent or method, and example botanicals where the class is the primary screening focus.
Alkaloid Screening
Mayer's, Wagner's, Dragendorff's, and Hager's reagent tests for alkaloid class presence. Foundation for botanicals such as kutaja, kuchla, vasaka, ashwagandha, and rauwolfia.
Flavonoid Screening
Shinoda test, alkaline reagent (NaOH) test, and lead acetate test for flavonoid class. Important for turmeric, citrus peel, ginkgo, and other flavonoid-rich botanicals.
Tannin and Phenolic Screening
Ferric chloride and gelatin tests for tannins; Folin-Ciocalteu for total phenolics. Relevant for triphala, amalaki, haritaki, bibhitaki, green tea, and astringent formulations.
Saponin and Triterpenoid Screening
Foam test and haemolysis for saponins; Liebermann-Burchard and Salkowski for steroids and triterpenoids. Relevant for licorice, gokshura, shatavari, and gymnema.
Glycoside and Anthraquinone Screening
Keller-Kiliani test for cardiac glycosides; Borntrager test for anthraquinone glycosides; Molisch for general glycosides. Relevant for senna, aloe, digitalis, and rhubarb.
HPTLC Class Confirmation
High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography for visual class-level chromatographic confirmation. Pairs with the qualitative wet chemistry to produce a defensible phytochemistry section for the AYUSH licence dossier.
Phytochemical screening ≠ marker compound assay. Screening identifies which CLASSES of phytoconstituents are present (alkaloid present, flavonoid present, etc.). Marker compound assay quantifies SPECIFIC named compounds (withanolides in ashwagandha, curcuminoids in turmeric, andrographolide in kalmegh). For quantitative marker work, route to Standardisation & Fingerprinting — the HPTLC and HPLC quantitative layer that typically follows the qualitative phytochemical screen.
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share the herbal raw material or extract, the suspected or claimed class profile, the AYUSH framework (API / UPI / SPI / Homeopathy), and the purpose (R&D screen, AYUSH dossier, supplier qualification, adulteration check). Your dedicated SPOC confirms the class panel, total-class quantitative add-ons, and sample quantity required before you dispatch.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch the raw material or extract with a completed Test Request Form to the Delhi HQ (Arbro Analytical Division) lab. Each sample is bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Sample preparation (extraction in suitable solvent) begins within 24 hours of registration.
Screening and QA Review
Your sample is screened across the agreed class panel using established pharmacopoeial wet-chemistry reagent tests and HPTLC class confirmation where requested. Reactions are observed and intensity recorded (trace, mild, moderate, abundant) for semi-quantitative reporting. Total-class quantitative add-ons (total phenolics, total flavonoids, total alkaloids) run in parallel. Every result passes formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited phytochemical screening report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports list each class screened, the reagent test result (present / absent), the intensity where reported, the total-class quantitative results where requested, and the API / WHO methodological reference. Accepted by Ministry of AYUSH, CDSCO, state AYUSH licensing authorities, and export buyers. Track sample status through YLIMS.
Turnaround Time
| Panel | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Full qualitative phytochemical panel (all classes) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Targeted single-class screen (e.g. alkaloids only) | 3 to 5 business days | Available |
| Semi-quantitative screen with intensity reporting | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Total phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteu) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Total flavonoids (AlCl3 colourimetry) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Total alkaloids (titrimetric or UV-Vis) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| HPTLC class confirmation (parallel chromatographic evidence) | 7 to 10 business days | On request |
Who Needs Phytochemical Screening
- R&D teams evaluating a new botanical source or supplier batch before scale-up — confirming the expected class profile is present.
- AYUSH-licensed manufacturers building licence dossiers where the per-preparation API monograph requires a phytochemistry section.
- Brands launching nutraceutical and herbal supplement products that name specific phytoconstituent classes on the label.
- Formulation scientists screening botanicals for adulteration — an unexpected class profile flags possible species substitution or admixture.
- Contract herbal extract manufacturers building data packs for brand-owner handover and downstream marker assay programmes.
- Exporters supplying EU, US, Gulf, and ASEAN markets where phytochemistry evidence supports the WHO Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials requirement.
- Universities, research institutions, and PhD scholars needing NABL-traceable phytochemistry data for publications and theses.
- Brands contesting an adulteration or substitution finding — full re-screen on documented NABL chain of custody.
Why Auriga for Phytochemical Screening
Full Class Panel In One Run
Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics, saponins and triterpenoids, glycosides and anthraquinones, carbohydrates, proteins, coumarins, volatile oils, and resins — all reported from a single sample preparation per the standard pharmacopoeial reagent panel.
Pharmacopoeial Method Alignment
Methods follow the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), the WHO Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials, and IP / USP / EP herbal monographs — the references AYUSH licensing reviewers and export buyers expect.
Quantitative Add-Ons in Parallel
Total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu, total flavonoids by AlCl3 colourimetry, total alkaloids by titration or UV-Vis available alongside the qualitative screen — the same lab, the same sample preparation, one consolidated report.
HPTLC Class Confirmation
Chromatographic class confirmation by HPTLC pairs with the wet-chemistry screen — producing a defensible phytochemistry section for the AYUSH licence dossier and export-buyer technical file.
First ISM&H-Licensed Herbal Lab
Delhi HQ is India's first herbal testing lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, AYUSH approved since 2004 (DTL-01 A&U), holder of the Unani licence. The trust signal AYUSH and export regulators look for in a phytochemistry partner.
Bridge to Marker Compound Assay
Phytochemical screening flows naturally into Standardisation & Fingerprinting — the HPTLC and HPLC marker compound quantitative layer at the same lab, the same SPOC, the same NABL chain of custody.