First herbal lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H · NABL · HPTLC · DNA

Herbal Standardisation, Identification & Fingerprinting

Adulteration and species substitution are the central quality risks in the herbal supply chain — and standardisation is what proves a product is what its label claims. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited herbal standardisation, identification, and fingerprinting for Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and botanical-supplement manufacturers — confirming botanical identity, assuring batch-to-batch consistency, and quantifying marker / active compounds.

Our capabilities include HPTLC fingerprinting for identity and adulterant detection, marker-compound quantification by HPLC / UPLC (curcumin, withanolides, bacosides, piperine, gingerols, andrographolide), physicochemical profiling (ash values, extractive values, moisture), and DNA-based identification and DNA fingerprinting for cases where morphological or chemical methods are inconclusive. Testing is performed against the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), the Pharmacopoeia of India (IP), and WHO monographs.

As the first herbal testing laboratory in India to be licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, backed by the Arbro Group's unbroken NABL accreditation since 2003, Auriga is a long-established reference lab for AYUSH GMP product licensing, FSSAI nutraceutical standardisation, and export pharmacopoeial compliance.

DNA-based identification for definitive authentication

For botanical identity verification where morphological or chemical methods are inconclusive, Auriga offers DNA-based identification and DNA fingerprinting — the most advanced identity tool, especially useful for raw-material authentication and adulteration detection in complex multi-herb formulations where powdered or processed material has lost its diagnostic morphology.

HPTLC & marker quantification in 7–10 days | Full API / IP monograph 10–15 days

Standardisation & Identification Capabilities

Each test is mapped to its technique and reference monograph so AYUSH QA and export teams can match scope to the API / IP / WHO requirement at a glance.

HPTLC

HPTLC Fingerprinting

Chromatographic identity profile unique to each species / extract — confirms identity and detects adulterants and substitutes.

HPLC / UPLC

Marker Quantification

Curcumin, withanolides, bacosides, piperine, gingerols, andrographolide and other marker / active compounds.

DNA

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA-based botanical identification for cases where morphological or chemical methods are inconclusive — and for multi-herb formulations.

Ash Values

Ash Values

Total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash per pharmacopoeial method.

Extractives

Extractive Values

Alcohol-soluble and water-soluble extractive values.

Moisture

Moisture / LOD

Moisture content and loss on drying.

Organoleptic

Macro / Microscopy

Organoleptic evaluation and macroscopic / microscopic identity examination.

API

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia

Monograph specifications per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API).

IP

Pharmacopoeia of India

Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP / PI) monograph reference for marker-compound limits.

WHO

WHO Monographs

WHO Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials and WHO monographs.

How It Works

1

Get a Quote

Share your product, the claimed botanical(s) and part used, and what you need — identity confirmation, marker quantification, full monograph standardisation, or DNA-based authentication. Your dedicated SPOC confirms the applicable API / IP / WHO monograph, the test set, and the exact sample quantity before you dispatch anything.

2

Send Your Sample

Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form and the claimed botanical name to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.

3

Testing and QA Review

Your sample is tested by HPTLC, HPLC / UPLC, physicochemical methods, and DNA-based identification as scoped, by Auriga's scientific team, with fingerprints compared against reference profiles. Every result passes a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.

4

Receive Your NABL Report

Your NABL-accredited test report — including the chromatographic / DNA fingerprint and the monograph comparison — is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted for AYUSH GMP, FSSAI, and export submissions. You can track sample status in real time through YLIMS.

Turnaround Time

Service Standard TAT Express
Physicochemical (ash, extractives, moisture, pH) 5–7 business days Available
HPTLC fingerprinting 7–10 business days On request
Marker compound quantification (HPLC / UPLC) 7–10 business days On request
DNA-based identification / fingerprinting 10–15 business days On request
Complete API / IP monograph panel 10–15 business days On request

Who Needs Standardisation & Identification

  • AYUSH-licensed manufacturers needing standardisation data for GMP product release and licensing.
  • Herbal and Ayurvedic exporters needing pharmacopoeial compliance evidence (API / IP / Ph. Eur. / USP).
  • Raw-material suppliers needing botanical identity certificates (including DNA-based) for the supply chain.
  • Nutraceutical brands verifying herbal ingredient authenticity and active-marker content.
  • Manufacturers of multi-herb formulations needing DNA identification where morphology is lost.
  • Contract manufacturers and white-label suppliers certifying identity and potency of finished products.
  • Brands substantiating label claims (e.g. standardised to X% curcuminoids / withanolides).
  • Importers authenticating herbal raw material before India sale or re-export.
  • R&D and new-product teams establishing reference fingerprints and specifications.
  • Brands contesting an adulteration / substitution allegation with accredited identity evidence.

Why Auriga for Standardisation & Identification

First herbal lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H

Auriga was the first herbal testing laboratory in India to be licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H — a long-established reference lab the AYUSH sector trusts.

HPTLC, HPLC/UPLC and DNA under one roof

Chromatographic fingerprinting, marker quantification, and DNA-based identification in one accredited lab — the full identity-to-potency picture without cross-lab handover.

Tested against API, IP and WHO monographs

Standardisation against the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, the Pharmacopoeia of India, and WHO monographs — with Ph. Eur. / USP where export markets require.

DNA authentication for tough cases

Definitive species confirmation where morphology and chemistry fall short — the decisive tool for multi-herb formulations and powdered raw material.

Reference-fingerprint capability

We can establish and maintain reference fingerprints so every production batch is compared against a validated profile for consistency.

Arbro Group NABL accreditation since 2003

Two decades of continuous ISO/IEC 17025 conformity through the Arbro Group — the audit trail AYUSH manufacturers, exporters, and brands look for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is herbal product standardisation?
Herbal product standardisation establishes the identity, purity, and potency of botanical ingredients and finished formulations through a defined set of analytical tests — organoleptic and microscopic evaluation, physicochemical tests (ash values, extractive values, moisture), chromatographic fingerprinting (HPTLC / HPLC), and quantification of marker or active constituents. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), the Pharmacopoeia of India (IP), and WHO monographs provide the monograph-based specifications. Standardisation is what makes batch-to-batch consistency, regulatory compliance, and meaningful label claims possible.
Does Auriga offer DNA-based identification and DNA fingerprinting?
Yes. For botanical identity verification where morphological or chemical methods are inconclusive, Auriga offers DNA-based identification and DNA fingerprinting — useful for raw-material authentication and for adulteration / substitution detection in complex multi-herb formulations where powdered or processed material has lost its diagnostic morphology. DNA barcoding targets conserved genetic regions to confirm the species unambiguously, complementing HPTLC fingerprinting and marker-compound quantification. It is the most advanced identity tool when a botanical cannot be reliably distinguished by appearance or chemistry alone.
What is HPTLC fingerprinting and why is it important?
HPTLC (High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography) fingerprinting creates a visual chromatographic profile unique to each botanical species and extract. It serves as an identity test — confirming the correct plant material is used and detecting adulterants or substitutes — and is specified by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, Indian Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia, and USP for herbal monographs. Each production batch can be compared against a reference fingerprint to assure consistency.
Which reference standards does Auriga test against?
Standardisation is performed against the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and the Pharmacopoeia of India (IP) monographs — the primary Indian reference standards for marker-compound limits and quality parameters — supported by WHO monographs and Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials, and the European Pharmacopoeia / USP where export markets require them. The applicable monograph is confirmed at the quote stage based on your product and target market.
How long does herbal standardisation testing take?
Physicochemical testing (ash values, extractive values, moisture, pH) takes 5–7 business days. HPTLC fingerprinting takes 7–10 business days. Marker-compound quantification by HPLC / UPLC takes 7–10 business days. DNA-based identification / fingerprinting takes 10–15 business days. A complete standardisation panel per an API / IP monograph takes 10–15 business days.
What sample quantity is required for standardisation?
A standardisation panel typically needs 50–100 g of raw herb, powder, or extract (more for whole crude drug where representative sub-sampling is needed). DNA-based identification needs only a small amount (a few grams) of suitably preserved material. Provide the sample with the claimed botanical name and part used (root, leaf, rhizome, etc.) so identity can be verified against the correct monograph. Confirm exact quantities with your SPOC, especially for multi-marker or multi-herb formulation panels.
Are Auriga standardisation reports accepted for AYUSH GMP and export?
Yes. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted for Ministry of AYUSH GMP product licensing and release, for FSSAI herbal-nutraceutical standardisation requirements, and for export pharmacopoeial-compliance evidence. As the first herbal testing laboratory in India to be licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, Auriga is a long-established reference lab for the AYUSH sector. Botanical-identity certificates (including DNA-based where applicable) support raw-material authentication along the supply chain.

Get Your Herbal Standardisation Quote

NABL-accredited HPTLC & DNA fingerprinting and marker compound quantification per API, IP, and WHO monographs.

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