Comparison of hyperspectral imaging techniques for the elucidation of falsified medicines composition

Hyperspectral imaging has shown a high potential to analyze falsifications of solid pharmaceutical products since the last decade. Thanks to the non-destructive, ecological and non-invasive properties, it is a preferred technique for these kinds of applications. Moreover, thanks to the spectroscopic properties, it is possible to detect as well organic compounds as inorganic compounds in a single analysis. Therefore, we recommend using it as second-line laboratory analysis technique. Raman microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microscopy are two interesting techniques that are complementary. In this study, the potential of the two hyper-spectral imaging techniques is evaluated to elucidate the composition of falsified antimalarial tablets. Hyperspectral data are analyzed by Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Square (MCR-ALS). The results obtained from this study show that Raman hyperspectral imaging seems to be more suited to detect low dosed compounds possibly due to a smallest sampling volume. It has been also possible to link formulations of falsified samples of two different brands.