Abstract

Hingu, an oleo-gum-resin extracted from the roots of Ferula species (Apiaceae family), is well-known for its diverse medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine. The high demand for Hingu in the market has led to frequent adulteration with substances such as red clay, chalk, and other oleo-gums (e.g., galbanum, colophony), which compromise its quality as well as efficacy, further necessitating the development of its quality control standards. The present study aimed to explore the sample variability of Hingu in the Indian market. Survey-based sampling was done in New Delhi, a major trade hub for herbal and spice commodities, where diverse products from across India are available. Organoleptic evaluation, HPTLC fingerprinting, and FTIR were performed to detect any variation at the compositional level for all samples. The present study reveals marked organoleptic differences among the samples. Variation in HPTLC chromatogram was also observed, along with a significant difference in the number of Rf values. These variations possibly indicate the differences in the origin, processing techniques, or adulterations. HPTLC and FTIR analyses revealed distinct chemical fingerprints for all samples; notably, in TLC, bands at Rf 0.25, 0.35, and 0.50 corresponded to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeial standard, while the presence of additional bands reflected compositional heterogeneity, supporting their potential use as reliable tools for standardization and quality control. This study underscores the need for comprehensive, validated analytical protocols to ensure the authenticity, efficacy, and safety of Hingu in the commercial market, providing a scientific foundation for regulatory frameworks and future pharmacognostic research.

Key words: Asafoetida, Hingu, HPTLC, Quality control