The Application of Vibrational Spectroscopy Techniques in the Qualitative Assessment of Material Traded as Ginseng.

Maxleene Sandasi,Ilze Vermaak,Alvaro Viljoen,Weiyang Chen

doi:10.3390/molecules21040472

Abstract

The name “ginseng” is collectively used to describe several plant species, including Panax ginseng (Asian/Oriental ginseng), P. quinquefolius (American ginseng), P. pseudoginseng (Pseudoginseng) and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), each with different applications in traditional medicine practices. The use of a generic name may lead to the interchangeable use or substitution of raw materials which poses quality control challenges. Quality control methods such as vibrational spectroscopy-based techniques are here proposed as fast, non-destructive methods for the distinction of four ginseng species and the identification of raw materials in commercial ginseng products. Certified ginseng reference material and commercial products were analysed using hyperspectral imaging (HSI), mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) and (orthogonal) partial least squares discriminant analysis models (OPLS-DA) were developed using multivariate analysis software. UHPLC-MS was used to analyse methanol extracts of the reference raw materials and commercial products. The holistic analysis of ginseng raw materials revealed distinct chemical differences using HSI, MIR and NIR. For all methods, Eleutherococcus senticosus displayed the greatest variation from the three Panax species that displayed closer chemical similarity. Good discrimination models with high R2X and Q2 cum vales were developed. These models predicted that the majority of products contained either /P. ginseng or P. quinquefolius. Vibrational spectroscopy and HSI techniques in tandem with multivariate data analysis tools provide useful alternative methods in the authentication of ginseng raw materials and commercial products in a fast, easy, cost-effective and non-destructive manner.

Highlights

Ginseng, an ancient herbal medicine with a long history of traditional use, is one of the most popular and best-selling herbal medicines in the world [1,2]
L. (American ginseng) and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Siberian ginseng) amongst others, all belonging to the Araliaceae family
Botanical reference materials (P. ginseng, P. pseudoginseng, P. quinquefolius and E. senticosus) with certificates of authenticity were purchased from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP)

Summary

Introduction

An ancient herbal medicine with a long history of traditional use, is one of the most popular and best-selling herbal medicines in the world [1,2]. The word ginseng, literally meaning “man root”, refers to the characteristic shape of the roots which resemble the human body and the legs of a man [3]. The term ginseng was applied to preparations formulated using Panax species, but nowadays it refers to any product said to have adaptogenic or restorative properties [2]. This gives rise to quality control problems due to botanical misidentification. (Siberian ginseng) amongst others, all belonging to the Araliaceae family. The roots of these plants are considered to be very valuable, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The processed form of Asian ginseng is used to replenish “vital energy” as it is “warm”, while American ginseng is used for reducing “internal heat”

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Conclusion