Characterization of genuine and fake artesunate anti-malarial tablets using Fourier transform infrared imaging and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy through blister packs.
In support of the efforts to combat the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit anti-malarial drugs, we evaluated a new analytical approach for the characterization and fast screening of fake and genuine artesunate tablets using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging. Vibrational spectroscopy provided chemically specific information on the composition of the tablets; the complementary nature of Raman scattering and FTIR imaging allowed the characterization of both the overall and surface composition of the tablets. The depth-resolving power of the SORS approach provided chemically specific information on the overall composition of the tablets, non-invasively, through a variety of packaging types. Spatial imaging of the tablet surface (using ATR-FTIR) identified the location of domains of excipients and active ingredients with high sensitivity and enhanced spatial resolution. The advantages provided by a combination of SORS and ATR-FTIR imaging in this context confirm its potential for inclusion in the analytical protocol for forensic investigation of counterfeit medicines.
Ricci
Camilla
C
Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Eliasson
Charlotte
C
Macleod
Neil A
NA
Newton
Paul N
PN
Matousek
Pavel
P
Kazarian
Sergei G
SG
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000032:analysis; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000032:analysis*; D000077332:Artesunate; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D013607:Tablets / Q000032:analysis*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013607:Tablets; D000077332:Artesunate