A novel and rapid HPGPC-based strategy for quality control of saccharide-dominant herbal materials: Dendrobium officinale, a case study

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of natural saccharides, especially polysaccharides, in herb materials remains a challenge due to their complicated structures and high macromolecular masses. Currently available methods involve time-consuming and complicated operations, and present poor specificity. Here, a novel and rapid high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC)-based approach is described for quality assessment of saccharide-dominant herbal materials by simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of saccharide components. Dendrobium officinale, one of the rarest tonic herbs worldwide, was employed as the model herb in this study. First, a HPGPC fingerprint based on the molecular weight distribution of its carbohydrate components was established for qualitative identification of D. officinale. Then, HPGPC-guided dominant holistic polysaccharide marker was separated using ultra-filtration followed by HPGPC determination for quantitative evaluation of D. officinale. The experimental results suggest that this method is more efficient, stable, and convenient compared with the currently available methods for authentication and quality evaluation of D. officinale, and we expect the method will have similar advantages when used for quality control of other saccharide-dominant herbal materials and products.

Suitability evaluation on material specifications and edible methods of Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis based on holistic polysaccharide marker

“…2a-d. The HPMs were consistently detected at 25.56 ± 1.48 min, which was in agreement with the previous study [21]. In Fig.…”

“…Deionized water was prepared by Millipore Milli Q-Plus system (Bedford, MA, USA). HPM for chemical characterization was isolated in our laboratory as described previously [21].…”

“…HPMs were isolated and purified from different DC extracts by our previous method [21]. In detail, each water extract (4 mL) was transferred into an ultracentrifugal filter tube [molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) = 10 kDa] (Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA) and then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 min, which the centrifugation was repeated for at least ten times.…”

“…Besides, based on our previous study, a HPGPC based strategy with improved macromolecular polysaccharides (> 60 kDa) retention and resolution was developed. With the developed method, a unique and specific polysaccharide peak was found in DC and used for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of polysaccharides [21]. The peak was accounted for over 90% of total polysaccharide contents in DC, so we separated it by ultra-filtration and deemed it as a holistic polysaccharide marker (HPM) for quality control of DC.…”

Ultrafiltration coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry for screening lipase binders from different extracts of Dendrobium officinale

“…It was reported that the methanolic extract exhibited a pleiotropic effect on obesity-induced parameters and exerted a renoprotective effect in high-fat diet-fed mice [8]. Polysaccharides and phenols are the main constituents identified in D. officinale [9]. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the antilipase agents might exist in the plant.…”