Scientists at the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Chennai has successfully developed a 'herbs authentication system' to check quality and scientific analysis of the herbal raw materials used in drug manufacturing.

Disclosing this development to Pharmabiz.com, the four scientists said the product was developed after an year of hard work with the support of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi. Both institutions are sponsoring the project, besides getting expert guidance from Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, the renowned Kerala Ayurveda firm and collaborator.

Named 'Herbos', the herbs authentication system is a combination of a microscope and digital camera connected to a computer with the authentication software, in simple terms. The digital camera will take different pictures of the raw material samples placed under the microscope and will instantly relay the pictures to the software for data analysis. Herbos has facilities for image capture and display, inspection, archiving and comparison. The scientists claimed that the user friendly system has scope for various measurements and analyzing properties of the herb to minute details, can compare with the results of the earlier samples or from the archives as it has facility for storing and retrieving data. However, the scientists did not divulge more details about the system as the product is yet to be patented and was undergoing finishing touches for commercial applications, likely to be ready within the next two to three months.

"Our user collaborator, a major drug manufacturing firm in South India, has expressed full satisfaction on the product, and we were in touch with them during the various stages of development. This finding will help the Indian drug manufacturing companies to compete in the global market with confidence in this era of free trade barriers and WTO regime. They can scientifically ensure their buyers about the quality and properties of the raw materials they are using. We believe this system can do wonders to the Indian herbal industry in future, especially herbal drug exporters" said the four scientists who preferred anonymity for giving the credit of the development to their institution CEERI, Chennai, its parent institution at Pilani, IICT and DST.

They said about Rs.9 to 10 lakh have been spent for the project, and it was too early to comment either on the price of the system or on methods of marketing and commercial application, as that have to be decided by the concerned authorities once the product is final and ready for commercial applications.