title: Characterization of genuine and fake artesunate anti-malarial tablets using Fourier transform infrared imaging and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy through blister packs.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Ricci
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Eliasson
authors: Neil A
authors: NA
authors: Macleod
authors: Paul N
authors: PN
authors: Newton
authors: Pavel
authors: P
authors: Matousek
authors: Sergei G
authors: SG
authors: Kazarian
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013607:Tablets; D000077332:Artesunate