Abstract
BackgroundThe quality of the materials used in Chinese medicine (CM) is generally assessed based on an analysis of their chemical components (e.g., chromatographic fingerprint analysis). However, there is a growing interest in the use of color metrics as an indicator of quality in CM. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of using color metrics and chemical fingerprint analysis to determine the quality of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (Tufuling) (SGR). The SGR samples were divided into two categories based on their cross-sectional coloration, including red SGR (R-SGR) and white SGR (W-SGR).MethodsForty-three samples of SGR were collected and their colors were quantized based on an RGB color model using the Photoshop software. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF MS) system was used for chromatographic fingerprint analysis to evaluate the quality of the different SGR samples. Hierarchical cluster analysis and dimensional reduction were used to evaluate the data generated from the different samples. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the color metrics and the chemical compositions of R-SGR and W-SGR.ResultsThe SGR samples were divided into two different groups based on their cross-sectional color, including color A (CLA) and B (CLB), as well as being into two separate classes based on their chemical composition, including chemical A (CHA) and B (CHB). Standard fingerprint chromatograms were for CHA and CHB. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation (Pearson’s r = −0.769, P < 0.001) between the color metrics and the results of the chemical fingerprint analysis.ConclusionsThe SGR samples were divided into two major clusters, and the variations in the colors of these samples reflected differences in the quality of the SGR material. Furthermore, we observed a statistically significant correlation between the color metrics and the quality of the SGR material.
Highlights
The quality of the materials used in Chinese medicine (CM) is generally assessed based on an analysis of their chemical components
The quality of CM is mainly determined based on an analysis of their chemical composition using sophisticated analytical techniques, such as chromatographic fingerprint analysis, which can be used to provide an indication of their intrinsic quality
We show that the Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (SGR) samples were divided into two major clusters (i.e., red SGR (R-SGR) and white SGR (W-SGR)) based on their color
Summary
The quality of the materials used in Chinese medicine (CM) is generally assessed based on an analysis of their chemical components (e.g., chromatographic fingerprint analysis). The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of using color metrics and chemical fingerprint analysis to determine the quality of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (Tufuling) (SGR). The quality control procedures traditionally used in CM are based on the color, smell and texture characteristics of the raw materials, as. He et al Chin Med (2016) 11:33 the RGB values of every pixel of a sample image. We have selected Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (Tufuling) (SGR) as a model medicinal herb to evaluate the relationship between the quality of this material and its color metrics and chemical composition data
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