Transforming gotu kola (Centella asiatica L.) chemical properties inspection through advanced spectroscopy technology

This study aimed to explore the use of advanced spectroscopy technology, visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) for the analysis of gotu kola ( Centella asiatica L.) plant quality. Vis-NIRS was used to predict water content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and asiaticoside in gotu kola. This analysis was carried out to overcome the limitations of conventional methods that are time-consuming and require a long laboratory process. Data were analyzed using chemometric analysis, which comprised partial least squares regression (PLSR) and principal component regression (PCR). The results showed that Vis-NIRS could predict the four quality parameters with a high accuracy level. The accuracy values of water content parameters were the coefficient of correlation in the calibration R cal (0.96), the coefficient of determination for cross-validation R cv (0.94), and the ratio of prediction to deviation RPD (3.10). For TPC, the values were R cal (0.96), R cv (0.95), and RPD (3.04). Furthermore, TPC showed Rcal (0.98), Rcv (0.97), and RPD (4.58). TFC obtained values of R cal (0.92), Root Mean Square Error of the Calibration RMSEC (78.23), R cv (0.88), and RPD (2.14). This study offers insights into opportunities for commercial applications of Vis-NIRS in monitoring the gotu kola quality, which can ultimately increase production efficiency and ensure better product quality.