European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DETECTION OF ADULTERATION IN COMMERCIAL SAMPLES OF CINNAMOMUM VERUM J. S. PRESL FROM KERALA

Binitha Raj R. V.*, Rajesh K. S., Mahadevan S., Rosamma M. P., Meena C. V.

ABSTRACT

Background: Dried inner bark of Cinnamomum verum J. S. Presl (Syn. C.zeylanicum), commonly known as Cinnamon (True cinnamon/ Ceylon cinnamon) has been used as a raw drug in many Ayurvedic therapeutic formulations. Moreover, it is one of the most commonly used spices worldwide. But commercial samples of C. verum are often adulterated with its inferior species C.cassia, C.malabatrum, C.burmanni and C.loureiroi which often leads to serious adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity and carcinogenesis due to the presence of high amount of coumarin. This study aims to detect adulteration in commercial samples of C.verum from Kerala. Methods: Commercial samples of C.verum were collected and compared with genuine and API standards by macroscopy, microscopy and quantification of coumarin using a validated HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) method. Moreover, heavy metal analysis was done by Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. Results: The study revealed that majority of C.verum barks available in Kerala were adulterated with other Cinnamomum species which contained high amount of coumarin. Conclusion: Authentication of raw drug materials is necessary in Ayurvedic drug industry to ensure safety and efficacy of therapeutic formulations.

Keywords: Cinnamomum verum, adulteration, microscopy, HPTLC, coumarin.