Rapid and robust analysis of aristolochic acid I in Chinese medicinal herbal preparations by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The use of Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid can induce the exchange of adenine and thymine in gene mutations and even cause liver cancer. To eliminate the harm of aristolochic acids (AAs) to humans, a rapid and robust method of AAs screening is a prerequisite. In this work, a facile and robust Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method was used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of AAs in Chinese medicinal herbal preparations based on the mandelic acid modified Ag nanoparticles SERS substrate. Qualitative and quantitative SERS detection of Aristolochic acid I (AAI) was achieved with a good linear relationship ranging from 0.2 -120.0 mu M and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 mu M. The proposed method demonstrates a refined strategy for sensitivity analysis of AAs with the advantages of easy operation, time-saving, high sensitivity, and molecular specificity, making it a preferred platform for the screening of AAI in regular inspections of herbal products and regulatory supervision of the supply chain.

Automated summary

This study presents a rapid and reliable method for qualitative and quantitative detection of aristolochic acid in Chinese herbal preparations using the SERS technique. The proposed method offers the advantages of easy operation, time-saving, high sensitivity, and molecular specificity.