CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS BY ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS TO CONTROL THE COMPOSITION OF MULTICOMPONENT LIQUIDS

The authors substantiated the relevance of scientific studies of the electrical properties of multicomponent liquids. Such liquids are real objects that require stock control during operation. This applies to many areas of human activity: environmental monitoring, the chemical and food industries, medicine, and the like. Laboratory methods are unable to meet the following requirements. The electrical properties of substances, including liquids, have been well studied by scientists. In addition, the high level of modern experimental technology allows to combine theoretical and practical achievements, in this case chemical and physical-electrical sciences. In the theoretical provisions regarding the electrical methods for the study of the composition of liquids, the authors, based on the classical knowledge of dielectric conductivity physics, argue for their use for applied chemical measurements. After all, physico-chemical electrical measurements have long been used for the study of two-component standard solutions. The authors propose to improve such measurements and use them for multicomponent liquids. At the same time, it is proposed to use the developed primary converters and a new informative parameter - complex conductivity components (admittance). On the basis of the obtained experimental results, the research conditions are formulated. The measuring system consists of a primary capacitive transducer (carbon electrodes in vessels with the test liquid); multi-frequency current generator (RLC meter) and computer. The dependences of the values of the complex components of conductivity on the frequency of the electromagnetic field between the electrodes for liquids with dissolved substances of different chemical nature and concentrations were investigated. Some individual properties have been established for such substances, which allow to develop methods and methods of operational control of the composition of multicomponent liquids by electrical parameters. The article discusses the scientific and practical results of research and the advantages of the developed methods and methods of composition control for real liquids. Also, some of the scientific facts obtained allow to further develop and develop methods of electro-chemical research with a wider range of constituents, for low concentrations and without complex laboratory manipulations

Non-destructive Detection of Food Adulteration to Guarantee Human Health and Safety

The primary objective of this review is to critique the basic concepts of non-destructive detection of food adulteration and fraud which collectively represent a tremendous annual financial loss worldwide and a major cause of human disease. The review covers the principles of the analytical instrumentation used for the non-destructive detection of food adulteration. Examples of practical applications of these methods for the control of food adulteration are provided and a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of instrumental methods in food technology are critiqued.Целью данного обзора является критическое рассмотрение основных понятий неразрушающего выявления фальсификации и подделки продуктов питания, которые в целом вызывают огромные ежегодные финансовые убытки во всем мире и являются одной из основных причин заболеваний человечества. Материалы и методы. Литература, указанная в данном обзоре, была получена в результате поиска библиографической информации в CAB abstracts, AGRICOLA, SciFinder Scholar, Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), OECD / EEA database по инструментам, которые используются для экологической политики и управления природными ресурсами, и Web of Science.Результаты и обсуждение. Фальсификация пищевых продуктов означает преднамеренное, обманное добавление посторонних, нестандартных или дешевых ингредиентов в продукты, или разбавление или удаление некоторых ценных ингредиентов с целью увеличения прибыли. В современных условиях производители стремятся увеличить выпуск своей продукции зачастую путем изготовления и продажи некачественных и фальсифицированных продуктов.“Неразрушающее выявление фальсификации пищевых продуктов” означает анализ образца и его существенных признаков без изменения физических и химических свойств образца. Повышение качества и безопасности пищевых продуктов путем разработки научных методов обнаружения фальсификации является главным условием для поддержания здоровья потребителей. Точная объективная оценка качества и выявление фальсификации пищевых продуктов представляется важнейшей целью пищевой промышленности. В связи с совершенствованием технологии фальсификации продуктов важно быть в курсе современных, самых точных методов контроля их фальсификации. С этой целью данный обзор рассматривает основные понятия выявления фальсификации продуктов питания, принципы устройств и возможные практические применения современных методов неразрушающего выявления фальсификации продуктов питания; сравнительный анализ преимуществ и недостатков инструментальных методов, используемых в пищевых технологиях. Каждый из рассмотренных методов обсуждается с точки зрения возможных различных консистенций продуктов – газов (свободного пространства вокруг продукта), свободно текущих жидкостей (соков), мутных и вязких жидкостей (меда как продукта растительного происхождения, растительных масел) и интактных продуктов (фруктов и овощей).Выводы. Результаты, освещенные в обзоре, рекомендуется использовать при контроле качества и безопасности пищевых продуктов.Метою даного огляду є критичний розгляд основних понять неруйнівного виявлення фальсифікації і підробки продуктів харчування, які в цілому викликають величезні щорічні фінансові збитки у всьому світі і є однією з основних причин захворювань людства. Матеріали і методи. Література, зазначена в даному огляді, була отримана в результаті пошуку бібліографічної інформації в in CAB abstracts, AGRICOLA, SciFinder Scholar, Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), OECD/EEA database щодо інструментів, які використовуються для екологічної політики та управління природними ресурсами, та Web of Science. Результати та обговорення. Фальсифікація харчових продуктів означає умисне, облудне додавання сторонніх, нестандартних або дешевих інгредієнтів в продукти, або розбавлення чи видалення деяких цінних інгредієнтів з метою збільшення прибутків. У сучасних умовах виробники прагнуть збільшити випуск своєї продукції найчастіше шляхом виготовлення та продажу неякісних та фальсифікованих продуктів. “Неруйнівне виявлення фальсифікації харчових продуктів” означає аналіз зразка і його істотних ознак без зміни фізичних і хімічних властивостей зразка. Підвищення якості та безпеки харчових продуктів шляхом розробки наукових методів виявлення фальсифікації є головною умовою для підтримки здоров’я споживачів. Точна об’єктивна оцінка якості і виявлення фальсифікації харчових продуктів представляється найважливішою метою харчової промисловості. У зв’язку з удосконаленням технології фальсифікації продуктів важливо бути в курсі сучасних, найбільш точних методів контролю їх фальсифікації. З цією метою даний огляд розглядає основні поняття виявлення фальсифікації продуктів харчування, принципи пристроїв і можливі практичні застосування сучасних методів неруйнівного виявлення фальсифікації продуктів харчування; порівняльний аналіз переваг і недоліків інструментальних методів, що застосовуються в харчових технологіях. Кожен з розглянутих методів обговорюється з точки зору можливих різних консистенцій продуктів - газів (вільного простору навколо продукту), вільно текучих рідин (соків), каламутних та в'язких рідин (меду як продукту рослинного походження, рослинних масел) і інтактних продуктів (фруктів і овочів). Висновки. Результати, висвітлені в огляді, рекомендується використовувати під час контролю якості та безпеки харчових продуктів

Recent Advances in Gas Chromatography

Gas chromatography is one of the most used analytical techniques in the industry. It is a powerful tool with a wide range of applications. This book presents recent advances in gas chromatography, multidimensional gas chromatography, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. It also discusses inverse gas chromatography. The main focus is the use of gas chromatography techniques to analyze petroleum fluids, biomass, and ionic liquids in medical and petrochemical industries

Novel Analytical Methods in Food Analysis

This reprint provides information on the novel analytical methods used to address challenges occurring at academic, regulatory, and commercial level. All topics covered include information on the basic principles, procedures, advantages, limitations, and applications. Integration of biological reagents, (nano)materials, technologies, and physical principles (spectroscopy and spectrometry) are discussed. This reprint is ideal for professionals of the food industry, regulatory bodies, as well as researchers

Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology

Atmospheric pressure plasma discharges have grown rapidly in importance in recent decades, due to the ease in handling and operation, plus their eco-friendly applications, for agriculture, food, medicine, materials and even the automotive and aerospace industries. In this context, the need for a collection of results based on plasma technologies is justified. Moreover, at the international level, the increased number of projects that translated to publications and patents in the multidisciplinary field of plasma-based technology gives researchers the opportunity to challenge their knowledge and contribute to a new era of green services and products that society demands. Therefore, this book, based on the Special Issue of “Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology” in the “Applied Physics” section of the journal Applied Sciences, provides results on some plasma-based methods and technologies for novel and possible future applications of plasmas in life sciences, biomedicine, agriculture, and the automotive industry.This book, entitled “Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology”, consists of 8 research articles, 2 review articles and 1 editorial. We know that we are only managing to address a small part of what plasma discharge can be used for, but we hope that the readers will enjoy this book and, therefore, be inspired with new ideas for future research in the field of plasma

The 23rd Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments and Water

Conference at a Glance Monday, October 15, 2007 (workshop #1-2: 9:00am – 5:00pm, workshop #3: 10am – 5:00pm, workshop #3, 10:00am – 5:00pm, workshops #4, 5, & 6, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, workshop #7 & 8, 2-5pm) 1) Compliant Analysis of Water, Wastes and Related Solid Environmental Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission and Mass Spectrometry 2) In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Workshop 3) Theory and Use of Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence for Soil Analysis 4) The 2007 MCP Audit – A Case Study Approach 5) “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics”: Avoiding Pitfalls in Environmental Sampling 6) Evaluating Monitored Natural Attenuation of MTBE and TBA 7) Environmental Forensic Techniques for Classic and Emerging Contaminants 8) Environmental Fate of Hydrocarbons in Soils and Groundwater Tuesday, October 17, 2007 Morning 8:30am – 9:00am Conference Welcome and Overview 9:00am – Noon, Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Ethics in Environmental Practice: Responsibilities, Benefits & Case Examples Session 2a: Pesticides Session 2b: Vapor Intrusion Session 3a: Brownfields Session 3b: Fisherville Mill - Assessment and Cleanup of a Brownfields Site on the Blackstone River Session 4a: Environmental Fate Session 4b: Sediments Afternoon 1:30 to 5:30pm, Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Phytoremediation Session 2: Biotechnology Session 3: Tungsten Session 4: Combining Chemical and Biological Technologies for Soil and Groundwater Remediation Session 5: Environmental Forensics Poster Sessions 4:00 – 6:00pm Arsenic Environmental Fate Environmental Forensics Pesticides Phytoremediation Remediation Sediments Tungsten Vapor Instrusion Social 4:30 – 6:00pm, exhibit area, 1st floor Workshops (Evening, 7:00 – 10:00pm) 9) In-Situ Thermal Remediation 10) Applied Chemical Fingerprinting in Environmental Forensics 11) Utilization of Stable Isotopes in Environmental and Forensic Geochemistry Studies 12) Professional Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Environmental Professionals Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Morning 8:30am – Noon, Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Gasoline Oxygenates I Session 2: Remediation I Session 3: Regulatory Session 4: Coated and Uncoated Microbubble Ozone Remediation Projects Afternoon 1:30 – 5:30pm, Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Gasoline Oxygenates II Session 2: Perchlorate/MECs Session 3: Analysis Session 4: Chemical Oxidation Poster Sessions 4:00 – 6:00pm Acid Mine Drainage Analysis Bioremediation Brownfields Chemical Oxidation Emerging Issues with Energy in the Environment Heavy Metals MECs Miscellaneous MTBE Radionuclides Site Assessment Social 4:30 – 6:00pm, exhibit area, 1st floor Workshops (Evening, 7:00 – 10:00pm) 13) Critical Exposure Pathways 14) Characterizing PAH Bioavailability in Sediments for Remedial Decision-Making 15) Theory and Application of Molecular Biological Tools (“MBTs”) and Biogeochemistry to Bioremediation Process Monitoring and Monitored Natural Attenuation Programs 16) Geochemical Evaluations of Metals in Environmental Media: How to Distinguish Naturally Elevated Metals Concentrations from Site-Related Contamination Thursday, October 18, 2007 Morning 8:30am – Noon Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Bioremediation Session 2: Remediation II Session 3: Modeling Session 4: Risk Assessment Afternoon 1:30pm – 5:00pm Sessions are concurrent Session 1: Heavy Metals Session 2: Innovative Technologies Session 3: Site Assessmen

Environmental Fate and Analysis of Insecticidal Fumigant Residues in Stored Grain and Grain-Based Products

The work described in this thesis is principally concerned with the environmental fate and analysis of halogenated hydrocarbons commonly used as insecticidal fumigants on stored grains and their by-products. The fumigation of stored products with these volatile compounds, which has been a common practice for centuries, is designed to destroy insects infesting the food and the storage area. The fumigated grains are normally used as food for human and animal consumption. The chemicals applied on them are highly toxic and are environmental hazards. There has been consistent evidence that some of these chemicals remain associated with foodstuffs as residues for a long period after treatment and therefore become a potential risk to human beings and the environment as a whole. Environmental pollution, an increasing threat to the world, is often not directly perceptible and therefore its protection has become a major goal all over the world. In attempting to predict the fate of fumigants in cereal grains, a full understanding of how the many parameters may influence the physical or chemical interaction of fumigants with grains or other food commodities and the ability to detect and determine the residues remaining in such food is essential to understanding their impact upon the environment. The effective use of these pesticides and the control of their contamination of the food supply and the environment, depends heavily on the ability to detect, identify and quantify them, often in very low concentrations. Analytical methods have been developed for the detection of fumigants as residues on fumigated food products or in the environment. The work carried out here is basically a description of an attempt to meet the main objectives of the research project discussed in Chapter One, namely; 1) critical literature review on modern fumigants and methods of fumigation, 2) environmental fate and reaction of these fumigants with the constituents of foodstuffs, and 3) development of a method or methods for fumigant residues or multiresidue analysis. Chapter Two describes a comprehensive review of the existing literature pertaining to important fumigants and their method fo application with special reference to maize and wheat grains and their by-products. The study which was carried out during the first part of the research, revealed that only about six insecticidal fumigants are currently in use largely in tropical countries. Environmental fate discussed in Chapter Three illustrated that the fumigants used for fumigation in storage are not only a public health hazard to those directly involved in fumigation or other related occupations but also those beyond the fumigation and storage premises. These chemicals have been detected in the air, water and soil especially around the fumigation area and therefore a great need for their monitoring and detection in the environment. Chapter Four deals exclusively with developments of methods that are specifically suitable for single fumigant residues. Three analytical methods with high precision and good overall recoveries were developed which allowed the determination of such a volatile fumigant as methyl bromide in very low concentrations. With the help of other improved parameters such as the electron capture detector, the capillary column and the tenax adsorbent trap, efficient and sensitive detection with good reproducibility and high recoveries was observed (Chapter Five). Chapter Six describes the advantages and disadvantages of fumigant residues methodology and evaluation assessment and compares its effectiveness with other available methods. The underlying fact revealed that a more broad and integrated method of assessment which utilises all effective methods is advisable. Finally, Chapter Seven concludes the findings, with recommendations for further vigilance and monitoring of the fumigant residues in the food supply and the environment. This suggests that, for any meaningful reduction in the risk from these chemicals and to check that internationally recommended maximum residue levels are fully adhered to, determination of fumigant residues is essential before any treated commodity is consumed by humans or animals. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Comprehensive high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting in quality control of herbal drugs, preparations and products

[eng] Quality control of herbals has its roots in the study of morphoanatomic and organoleptic characters. Nevertheless, in the last century, with the evolution of analytical chemistry, the quality control rapidly evolved from elementary tests to the use of sophisticated instruments combined with software for data management. In the current days, many authorities and organizations recommend a suite of tests, featuring many of these instruments, to evaluate quality of herbal products. HPTLC offers a comprehensive set of data that can be used not only for identification but also to evaluate the purity and content of herbal drugs, herbal preparations, and herbal products. The objective of this doctoral thesis was to explore in-depth the capacities of HPTLC and develop applications for quality control of herbals, far beyond simple identification of the herbal drugs, preparations, and products. For that, five studies were developed. In the first study, the quality of herbal drugs, preparations, and products from milk thistle fruit, coneflower root and aerial parts and black cohosh root, regulated under food supplements or medicines were evaluated with existing HPTLC methods. The suitability of these methods, using the entire fingerprint and several detection modes, as a tool for detecting quality problems, mainly adulterations, was confirmed. In the second study, the comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting concept was developed with the goal of simplifying the quality control process. This concept combines the qualitative and quantitative information of HPTLC images, obtained in a single analysis, to evaluate the identity, purity and content of herbals. The possibilities of applying it to identify an herbal drug, detect mixtures with re¬lated species (purity), and develop a minimum content test of an analytical marker were demonstrated in Angelica gigas root. In the third study, the application of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting aimed to go one step beyond in the test for adulterants and to evaluate the use of the HPTLC for purity limit tests. This approach was evaluated with sam¬ples of ginkgo leaf and extracts, commercialized as food supplements in different countries. This study demonstrated that the information contained in the HPTLC finger¬prints was suitable for verifying levels of rutin and quercetin, providing results similar to that of the HPLC limit test. It was also useful for detecting mixtures of ginkgo products not only with rutin and quercetin but also with buckwheat herb and sophora (flower bud or fruit). In the fourth study, it was evaluated the use of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting as an alternative method to the current HPLC assay of markers of TCM drugs in the Ph. Eur. The goal of this project was to simplify the determination of content and thus reducing the number of tests to be performed during quality control. For this evaluation, two TCM herbal drugs were chosen by the experts of the TCM working party of the Ph. Eur.: Fritillaria thunbergii bulbs and corydalis rhizome. In both cases, comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting was proven useful for identification and minimum content testing in one single analysis. The fifth study goes one step beyond in the content determination. While the previous studies focused in the quantification of single markers, this study aimed to apply comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting to quantify a group of constituents in an herbal drug, as an example of a more holistic assessment of quality. This determination was combined with the tests for purity and identity. To illustrate this concept, Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body was chosen. In this work, HPTLC proved to be a useful technique for routine quality control of herbal drugs, preparations and products. As demonstrated, it can simplify this process by applying the concept of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting. A detailed guideline of how to develop, validate and apply comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting methods for routine quality control of herbals has been elaborated and is also included in the thesis.  [cat] El control de qualitat dels productes a base de plantes té les seves arrels en l'estudi dels caràcters morfoanatòmics i organolèptics. No obstant això, al segle passat, amb l'evolució de la química analítica, el control de qualitat va evolucionar ràpidament des de proves elementals a l'ús d'instruments sofisticats combinats amb programari per a la gestió de dades. Actualment, moltes autoritats i organitzacions recomanen un conjunt de proves, amb molts d'aquests instruments, per avaluar la qualitat dels productes a base de plantes. La HPTLC ofereix un conjunt complet de dades que poden usar-se no només per a la identificació, sinó també per avaluar la puresa i el contingut de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi doctoral va ser explorar en profunditat les capacitats de la HPTLC i desenvolupar aplicacions per al control de qualitat dels productes de plantes medicinals, molt més enllà de la simple identificació de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes acabats comercialitzats. Per això, es van desenvolupar cinc estudis. En el primer estudi, es va avaluar la qualitat de les drogues vegetals, preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes del fruit de card marià, l'arrel i la part aèria de equinàcia i l'arrel de cimicífuga, regulats com complements alimentosos o medicaments, amb els mètodes existents de HPTLC. Es va confirmar la idoneïtat d'aquests mètodes, utilitzant l'empremta dactilar completa i diversos formes de detecció, com una eina per a detectar problemes de qualitat, principalment adulteracions. En el segon estudi, es va desenvolupar el concepte d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC (comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting) amb l'objectiu de simplificar el procés de control de qualitat. Aquest concepte combina la informació qualitativa i quantitativa de les imatges d’HPTLC, obtingudes en una única anàlisi, per avaluar la identitat, la puresa i el contingut dels productes a base de plantes. La seva aplicabilitat per identificar una droga vegetal, detectar mescles amb espècies relacionades (puresa) i desenvolupar un assaig de contingut mínim d'un marcador analític es van demostrar en l'arrel d'Angelica gigas. En el tercer estudi, l'aplicació de l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC va tenir com a objectiu anar un pas més enllà en l'assaig de adulterants i avaluar l'ús de l’HPTLC per a l'assaig límit de puresa. Aquest enfocament es va avaluar amb mostres de fulla i extracte de ginkgo, comercialitzats com a complements alimentosos en diferents països. Aquest estudi va demostrar que la informació continguda en les empremtes dactilars per HPTLC era adequada per verificar els nivells de rutina i quercetina, proporcionant resultats similars als de l'assaig límit per HPLC. També va ser útil per detectar mescles de productes de ginkgo no només amb rutina i quercetina, sinó també amb part aèria de blat sarraí i sòfora (botó floral i fruit). En el quart estudi, es va avaluar l'ús de l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC com un mètode alternatiu a l'actual valoració de marcadors per HPLC en drogues vegetals de la medicina tradicional xinesa (MTC) a la Ph. Eur. L'objectiu d'aquest projecte era simplificar la determinació del contingut i, per tant, reduir el nombre de proves a realitzar durant el control de qualitat. Per a aquesta avaluació, dues drogues vegetals de la MTC van ser elegides pels experts del grup de treball TCM de la Ph. Eur.: bulb de Fritillaria thunbergii i rizoma de coridalis. En tots dos casos, es va demostrar que l'empremta dactilar completa per HPTLC era útil per a la identificació i l'assaig de contingut mínim en una sola anàlisi. El cinquè estudi va un pas més enllà en la determinació del contingut. Si bé els estudis anteriors es van centrar en la quantificació de marcadors individuals, aquest estudi va tenir com a objectiu aplicar l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC a la quantificació d'un grup de components en una droga vegetal, com un exemple d'una avaluació més holística de la qualitat. Aquesta determinació es va combinar amb els assajos d'identitat i puresa. Per il·lustrar aquest concepte, es va triar el carpòfor de Ganoderma lucidum. En aquest treball, s'ha demostrat que la HPTLC és una tècnica útil per al control de qualitat rutinari de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes, i que es pot simplificar aquest procés aplicant el concepte d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC. S'ha elaborat una guia detallada (inclosa a la tesi) sobre com desenvolupar, validar i aplicar mètodes d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC per al control de qualitat rutinari de productes a base de plantes.[spa] El control de calidad de los productos a base de plantas tiene sus raíces en el estudio de los caracteres morfoanatómicos y organolépticos. Sin embargo, en el siglo pasado, con la evolución de la química analítica, el control de calidad evolucionó rápidamente de las pruebas elementales al uso de instrumentos sofisticados combinados con software para la gestión de datos. Actualmente, muchas autoridades y organizaciones recomiendan un conjunto de pruebas, con muchos de estos instrumentos, para evaluar la calidad de los productos a base de plantas. La HPTLC ofrece un conjunto completo de datos que pueden usarse no sólo para la identificación, sino también para evaluar la pureza y el contenido de drogas y preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral fue explorar en profundidad las capacidades de HPTLC y desarrollar aplicaciones para el control de calidad de los productos de plantas medicinales, mucho más allá de la simple identificación de drogas vegetales, preparados vegetales y productos finales comercializados. Para eso, se desarrollaron cinco estudios. En el primer estudio, se evaluó la calidad de las drogas vegetales, preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas del fruto del cardo mariano, la raíz y la parte aérea de equinácea y la raíz de cimicífuga, regulados como complementos alimenticios o medicamentos, con los métodos existentes de HPTLC. Se confirmó la idoneidad de estos métodos, utilizando la huella digital completa y varios modos de detección, como una herramienta para detectar problemas de calidad, principalmente adulteraciones. En el segundo estudio, se desarrolló el concepto de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC (comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting) con el objetivo de simplificar el proceso de control de calidad. Este concepto combina la información cualitativa y cuantitativa de las imágenes de HPTLC, obtenidas en un único análisis, para evaluar la identidad, la pureza y el contenido de los productos a base de plantas. Su aplicabilidad para identificar una droga vegetal, detectar mezclas con especies relacionadas (pureza) y desarrollar un ensayo de contenido mínimo de un marcador analítico se demostraron en la raíz de Angelica gigas. En el tercer estudio, la aplicación del análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC tuvo como objetivo ir un paso más allá en el ensayo de adulterantes y evaluar el uso de la HPTLC para el ensayo límite de pureza. Este enfoque se evaluó con muestras de hoja y extracto de ginkgo, comercializados como complementos alimenticios en diferentes países. Este estudio demostró que la información contenida en las huellas dactilares por HPTLC era adecuada para verificar los niveles de rutina y quercetina, proporcionando resultados similares a los del ensayo límite por HPLC. También fue útil para detectar mezclas de productos de ginkgo no sólo con rutina y quercetina, sino también con parte aérea de trigo sarraceno y sófora (botón floral y fruto). En el cuarto estudio, se evaluó el uso del análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC como un método alternativo a la actual valoración de marcadores por HPLC en drogas vegetales de la medicina tradicional china (MTC) en la Ph. Eur. El objetivo de este proyecto era simplificar la determinación del contenido y, por lo tanto, reducir el número de pruebas a realizar durante el control de calidad. Para esta evaluación, dos drogas vegetales de la MTC fueron elegidas por los expertos del grupo de trabajo TCM de la Ph. Eur.: bulbo de Fritillaria thunbergii y rizoma coridalis. En ambos casos, se demostró que la huella digital completa de HPTLC era útil para la identificación y el ensayo de contenido mínimo en un solo análisis. El quinto estudio va un paso más allá en la determinación del contenido. Si bien los estudios anteriores se centraron en la cuantificación de marcadores individuales, este estudio tuvo como objetivo aplicar el análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC a la cuantificación de un grupo de componentes en una droga vegetal, como un ejemplo de una evaluación más holística de la calidad. Esta determinación se combinó con los ensayos de identidad y pureza. Para ilustrar este concepto, se eligió el carpóforo de Ganoderma lucidum. En este trabajo, se ha demostrado que la HPTLC es una técnica útil para el control de calidad rutinario de drogas y preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas, y que se puede simplificar este proceso aplicando el concepto de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC. Se ha elaborado una guía detallada (incluida en la tesis) sobre cómo desarrollar, validar y aplicar métodos de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC para el control de calidad rutinario de productos a base de plantas