AHPA Holding Microscopy ID Course

SILVER SPRING, Md.The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced plans for an educational seminar addressing the use of microscopy in identification of botanical materials. Scheduled for Nov. 13 and 14 at the University of Southern Californias School of Pharmacy, the course will use teaching microscopes, viable reference materials and resources to assist in conducting such analyses to help participants develop skills to conduct identify verification of botanicals.

Verifying botanical identification is a GMP (good manufacturing practice) requirement and a potential liability concern," said Steven Dentali, Ph.D., AHPAs chief science officer. I took a similar course with Sidney Sudberg of Alkemist Pharmaceuticals over a decade ago. The level of microscopy expertise his sonand our course instructorElan Sudberg now brings to the table gives me confidence that participants will obtain a wonderful introduction to botanical microscopy skills that will enrich their botanical expertise and they will be able to take back to their respective companies. This course represents another necessary step in the vital imperative to know your botanical materials and will more than likely have a positive effect on the bottom line of participants employers."

Course information will be presented by morphological plant part groupings such as barks, roots, leaves, seeds, etc., focusing on their individual characteristic microscopic components. Powders will be used, and participants will also be shown how to grind and powder whole botanicals. Basic tissue type structures will be discussed and identified using examples from a vast botanical microscopic images database. Information regarding equipment, chemicals and supplies needed to start will be briefly reviewed if requested or time permitting.

Due to the hands-on nature of the training, participation is limited to only 25 students, who can expect to spend at least 75 percent of course time learning to use a microscope and viewing botanicals. Registration information is available online.