Herbal industry lab — moisture, ash, extractive value, heavy metals, and microbiology testing for Unani, Ayurvedic, and herbal export units.
Herbal QC Requirements
DRAP-regulated herbal manufacturers and export-oriented phytopharma units in Pakistan test raw herbs and finished formulations for identity, purity, and contamination.
Herbal Lab Essentials
- Pharmacognosy: Microscope, reagents for starch, lignin, alkaloid spot tests
- Proximate: Loss on drying (LOD), total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractive values
- Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury — AAS/ICP standards or colorimetric screens
- Microbiology: TPC, pathogens on TSA/SDA for syrups and powders
- Moisture: Karl Fischer for hygroscopic powders (advanced labs)
- Solvents: Extraction solvents for sample prep and TLC (grade-specific)
TLC for Identity
Thin-layer chromatography remains a workhorse for herbal fingerprinting — stock silica gel plates, capillary tubes, and visualization reagents.
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