Quality Control Strategies for Differentiation of <i>Kalanchoe</i> Species

Kalanchoe species products are commercially available in local markets and by internationally accessible online retailers and may exhibit quality issues because of misidentification from similar common names and anatomical similarities among related species used as feedstock. This study proposes an approach using UPLC-MS/MS^E and HPTLC, coupled with morphoanatomical analysis to establish chemical composition pattern data for five Kalanchoe species. Subsequently, the methods were validated by analyzing commercial products purported to contain 100% Kalanchoe extract. UPLC-MS/MS^E and HPTLC profiles demonstrated that quercetin and kaempferol derivatives were identified as the primary flavonoids in genuine plant extracts. Chemometric analysis showed clear differences in chemical profiles and no similarities between the Kalanchoe plant extracts and commercial products. Different patterns of anticlinal epidermal cell walls and midrib of the leaves and shape and arrangement of the vascular bundles in the petiole were the primary micro-morphological differences observed. Evaluation of commercial samples revealed that products labeled as containing Kalanchoe did not match the pharmacobotanical analysis nor the chemical composition of the species. These methods can be considered important tools for quality control in commercial products derived from Kalanchoe species.