A Novel Analytical Droplet Digital PCR Method for Identification and Quantification of Raw Health Food Material Powder from Panax notoginseng

Abstract

Food adulteration often results in consumer distrust and unfair commercial competition. Traded form of raw material powder from health food is vulnerable to adulteration; therefore, an effective method for detection and qualitative analysis for powder products is necessary. This study aimed to develop, optimize, and validate an accurate identification and quantification approach based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to determine Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) main root powder for quality control of P. notoginseng; a popular raw material for health food. Diacylglycerol kinase 1 gene, a single-copy nuclear gene was selected, and P. notoginseng-specific primers and probe were designed. An equation for determining the weight of P. notoginseng powder based on DNA copy number was established with DNA concentration as a conversion factor. The accuracy of ddPCR was demonstrated by analyzing the mixed powder samples with the known composition of P. notoginseng powder. To verify the applicability of the method, commercially available products were detected. The results indicated that the developed ddPCR assay is highly precise and suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of P. notoginseng powder. Overall, this new analytical approach can be a useful tool for quality control of P. notoginseng powder.