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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: October 2, 2016
Identification of secondary metabolites in medicinal and spice plants by NIR-FT-Raman microspectroscopic mapping
Malgorzata Baranska1, Hartwig Schulz, Petra Rosch
1Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Analysis, Neuer Weg 22-23, D-06484 Quedlinburg, Germany.
Abstract:
This paper demonstrates the special potential of vibrational NIR FT Raman microspectroscopy for the study of fennel fruits, chamomile inflorescence and curcuma roots to obtain detailed information about their microstructure and chemical composition. Microscopic Raman maps of fennel fruits demonstrate that anethole, which is the main essential oil component, is present in the whole mericarp with highest concentration at the top of the fruit. In situ measurements obtained of the essential oil cells are dominated by two bands observed at 1657 cm(-1) and 1609 cm(-1) which are characteristic for anethole. Raman images of chamomile inflorescence show that spiroethers, identified by significant bands between 2150 and 2250 cm(-1), are accumulated in the middle part of the flower head. Due to the intense curcumin bands in the Raman spectrum of curcuma root, the distribution of this dyeing substance can be clearly determined; highest concentration of curcumin was observed on the core of the root.
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