Lucknow: The CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) has developed 22 Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) designed to assist laboratories in ensuring that measurements and test results for medicinal plant-based products are accurate, consistent, and reliable.
Role of CRMs in Quality Assurance
Scientists at the institute stated that these CRMs will serve as benchmark standards for testing the authenticity, purity, and potency of herbal ingredients and formulations. Pharmaceutical companies and other manufacturers can utilize these CIMAP-developed standards in quality-control laboratories to verify whether a product meets prescribed specifications, thereby supporting the production of authentic and compliant herbal goods.
Reducing Import Dependence
India has historically relied heavily on imported CRMs for such testing. The new materials make validated reference standards available domestically, reducing dependency on foreign sources. The institute added that the CRMs are expected to support quality assessment not only in pharmaceuticals but also across food safety, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial testing.
Practical Application: Rosemary
Highlighting a practical use, CIMAP pointed to rosemary, a herb commonly used in culinary, cosmetic, and wellness applications. Its quality can be assessed by measuring the level of carnosol, a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. A CRM for rosemary developed by the institute helps laboratories determine whether rosemary samples contain appropriate quantities of carnosol, aiding product standardization.
Growing Demand for Reference Materials
“With growing regulatory requirements and the increasing adoption of international laboratory standards, demand for such reference materials has been rising worldwide,” said CSIR-CIMAP director Prabodh Kumar Trivedi.
Trivedi noted that the newly developed CRMs are expected to benefit pharmaceutical companies, herbal and AYUSH manufacturers, nutraceutical firms, testing laboratories, and research organizations. Additionally, they will reduce dependence on imports and improve the global competitiveness of Indian herbal and AYUSH products.
