Spatial distribution and content determination of Ganoderic acid F in tablets using confocal Raman microspectroscopy

Abstract

This study determines the spatial distribution and content of Ganoderic acid F in tablets without destroying the tablet. Confocal Raman microspectroscopy was conducted on the raw materials for Ganoderic acid F, starch, hydrated magnesium silicate, and magnesium stearate using live video imaging. Five different concentrations of Ganoderic acid F tablets (18.0–54.0%) were scanned at a spectral resolution of 1000 × 1000 µm. After surface scanning imaging of the tablets at five different concentrations, the characteristic Raman spectra were obtained, which were used for the rapid and accurate identification of the tablets. The spatial distribution of the drug in the tablet was determined, and the uniformity of drug mixture was confirmed. The content of each component in the tablet was successfully calculated according to the single-peak spectra of the raw and auxiliary materials. In conclusion, the characteristic Raman scanning spectra of the tablets were obtained, and the authenticity of the tablets was determined rapidly. In the tablets of different concentrations, Ganoderic acid F was evenly distributed in the low-concentration tablets. Without destroying the drug, the confocal microscopic Raman spectrometer and function calculation can be used to understand the spatial distribution and content of each component in the drug, which can be used for the validation of drug preparation process, the detection of drug content, and the identification of drug authenticity.