A new method for the authentication of plant samples by analyzing fingerprint chromatograms

Abstract

Chemical analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis of plant pulverized samples, juices or extracts is an excellent method for the authentication of medicinal plant species and their products, particularly when morphological authentication is not possible. In the conventional procedure, chromatograms are integrated and the heights or areas of several peaks are used in a supervised pattern recognition method to confirm the authenticity of the product. We propose a new section approach in analysing chromatograms, where chromatograms are split into sections, which are described by four variables (number of peaks in the section, average retention time of peaks in the section, total area of peaks in the section and average area of peaks in the section), and these variables are then used in statistical analysis. The method is especially useful when the peaks on the chromatogram are not well separated and it is not easy to link individual peaks on one chromatogram with corresponding peaks on other chromatograms. In comparison with the standard procedure, our approach in analyzing chromatographic data of willow-herb (Epilobium and Chamaenerion spp.) extracts was more objective, gave better results and was also easier to perform.

Quality control of herbal medicines by capillary electrophoresis: Potential, requirements and applications

“…Additional details regarding underlying theory and possibilities to evaluate obtained results (e.g. by similarity analysis or principal component analysis) were discussed in several publications [12,[127][128][129][130]. In Table 5, recent examples for quality control of medicinal plants by CE-fingerprints are compiled, including respective separation conditions [131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138].…”

CE and CEC analysis of phytochemicals in herbal medicines

“…Ultrasonic extraction was the most frequently used method due to its efficiency and easy manipulation. Indeed, it was employed in about two‐thirds (180 out of 271 articles) of cited references (Supporting Information Tables 1–7) 4–271. Other conventional extraction methods included reflux 6, 14, 15, 21, 45, 74, 84, 87, 97, 117, 121, 123, 131, 134, 157, 162, 164, 169, 171, 172, 176, 179, 182–184, 205, 212, 227, 235, 236, 259, Soxhlet extraction 23, 89, 91, 128, 131, 244, heating extraction 22, 39, 51...…”

“…The influence of several parameters, including buffer type and concentration, pH, additives, voltage, and temperature, has been discussed in our previous reviews 1, 2. Besides, micelle and microemulsion composition for MEKC and MEEKC (Supporting Information Tables 5 and 6) 187–262, as well as sample matrix and injection parameters for online preconcentration 5, 7, 8, 25, 34, 37, 52, 112, 187, 196–198, 207, 209, 220, 238–240, 244, 247 should also be considered.…”

Identification of Herbarium Whole‐Leaf Samples of Epilobium Species by ATR‐IR Spectroscopy

“…In our previous research, we had used capillary-electrophoretic analysis of plant EtOH extracts for the identification of species from the same set of Epilobium specimens, and we had obtained 60% accuracy [18]. Later on, we obtained 70% accuracy upon HPLC analysis [19].…”