• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.391-398
• /
• 2021

As global interest in herbal medicines has increased, the adulteration of herbal medicines has become a critical safety issue. Adulteration with dyes to improve the appearance of low-quality products is of particular concern. This study aimed to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to detect dyes added as adulterants to Phellodendron. Samples were analyzed on a C18 column using 50 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r² ≥0.9999) over the five-point concentration range (1-50 mg/kg). Limit of detection ranged from 0.04-0.35 mg/kg, and limit of quantification ranged from 0.11-1.07 mg/kg. The repeatability and reproducibility for these measurements were 94.2-103.3% and 96.6-103.8% for accuracy and 0.14-2.28 RSD (%) and 0.80-2.37 RSD (%) for precision. Moreover, the measurement uncertainty of the low, medium, and high concentrations for 10 dyes was considered. Thus, this HPLC method is suitable for detecting color adulteration of Phellodendron.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2023

The use of various adulterants and harmful chemicals is rapidly increasing in various sectors such as agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals, and they are also present in our surroundings in the form of pollutants. The regular and repeated intake of harmful chemicals often adversely affects human health. The prolonged exposure of living beings to such adverse components can lead to severe health complications. To avoid the unlimited utilization of these chemical components, a sensing technology that is sensitive and reliable for low-concentration detection is beneficial. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful method for identifying low-range concentrations of analytes, leading to great applications in molecular identification, including various diagnostic biomarkers. SERS in chemical, gas, and biological sensors can be an excellent approach in the sensing world to achieve rapid and multiple-analyte detection, leading to a new and efficient approach in healthcare monitoring.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Official Arisaematis Rhizoma is described only three species, Arisaema amurnse, Arisaema erubescens, and Arisaema heterophyllum, in national Pharmacopoeia. However, other Arisaema species, Arisaema ringens, Arisaema takesimense and Arisaema serratum, also have been distributed as an inauthentic Arisaematis Rhizoma in the herbal market. To develop a reliable molecular authentication method for Arisaematis Rhizoma in species level, we analyzed DNA barcode regions using six Arisaema species. Methods : Thirty-eight samples of six Arisaema plants species (A. amurense, A. amurense f. serratum, A. heterophyllum, A. takesimense, and A. serratum) were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of DNA barcode regions (rDNA-ITS, matK, and rbcL gene) were analyzed after PCR amplification. The species-specific sequences and phylogenetic relations were estimated using entire sequences of three DNA barcodes based on the analysis of ClastalW and UPGMA, respectively. Results : The comparative analysis of DNA barcode sequences were revealed inter-species specific nucleotides to distinguish the medicinal plant of Arisaema Rhizoma in species levels excluding between A. amurense and its subspecies (A. amurense f. serratum) and A. takesimense and A. serratum, respectively. However, we obtained sequence differences enough to discriminate authentic and inauthentic Arisaematis Rhizoma. Therefore, we suggest that these SNP type molecular genetic markers were an reliable method avaliable to identify official herbal medicines. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides could be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by providing definitive information that can identify original medicinal plant and distinguish from inauthentic adulterants and substitutes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.12-15
• /
• 2011

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection has been developed to quantify coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in raw materials and dietary supplements. Single-laboratory validation has been performed on the method to determine linearity, selectivity, accuracy, limits of quantification (LOQ) and repeatability for CoQ10. An excellent linearity (r=0.999) was observed for CoQ10 in the concentration range $15.625{\sim}500\;{\mu}g/ml$ in dietary supplement. Observed recovery of CoQ10 was found to be between 98.33 and 99.38%. LOQ was found to be $250\;{\mu}g/ml$ Repeatability precision for CoQ10 was between 0.15 and 0.21% relative standard deviation (RSD). Further, limited studies showed that some adulterants and degraded material could be satisfactorily separated from CoQ10 and identified.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2010

Definitive identification of original plant species is important for standardizing herbal medicine. The herbal medicines Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix (Baekshuoh in Korean and Beishuwu in Chinese) and Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Hashuoh in Korean and Heshuwu in Chinese) are often misidentified in the Korean herbal market due to morphological similarities and similar names. Therefore, we developed a reliable molecular marker for the identification of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of three plant species, Polygoni multiflorum, Cynanchum wilfordii, and Cynanchum auriculatum, to obtain several species-specific RAPD amplicons. From nucleotide sequences of these RAPD amplicons, we developed six sequence characterized amplification region (SCAR) markers for distinguishing Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix. Furthermore, we established SCAR markers for the simultaneous discrimination of the three species within a single reaction by using multiplex-PCR. These SCAR markers can be used for efficient and rapid authentication of these closely related species, and will be useful for preventing the distribution of adulterants.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Peucedani Radix ('Jeonho' in Korean) is the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum or Angelica decursiva. However, the root of Anthriscus sylvestris has usually been distributed as Jeonho. This study was performed to determine the discriminative criteria of Jeonho, focused on distribution in Korean markets. Methods : We have determined identification keys to discriminate each Jeonho samples, through observation of external morphology of original plants, and the research of external and internal morphological features of dried Jeonho herbs. Results : Because of identical to the Korean plant name 'Jeonho', Anthrisci Radix had been came into use as a substitute of Jeonho in Korea during the time of Japanese colonial rule. The original plants of Jeonho and its substitute are discriminated with shape of leaf, leaf margin and color of stem. External morphological features of the medicinal herbs of Jeonho are different in the color of cross-sections, pellucid dot, white powder. Internal morphological points, such as fiber bundle of xylem, seconadary mudullary ray and ray of xylem were also used as discriminative criteria for Jeonho. Further details(e.g. identificaion keys) are in the article. Conclusions : We think that these discriminative criteria will be meaningful in identifying the substitutes and adulterants of Jeonho.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.56-64
• /
• 2019

Recently, a number of adulterated products, which are advertised as hair-growth enhancer have been emerged among those who suffer hair loss disease. For continuous control of illegal products, in this study, a rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous screening of 12 compounds that enhance hair-growth was established to protect public health by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS). Fragmentation pathways of them were proposed based on $MS^2$ spectral data obtained using the established method. In this analysis, the LODs and LOQs ranged from 0.05 to 50 ng/mL and from 0.17 to 167 ng/mL, respectively. The square of the linear correlation coefficient ($R^2$) was determined as more than 0.995. The intra- and inter-assay accuracies were respective 88-112 % and 88-115 %. Their precision values were measured within 5 % (intra-day) and 10 % (inter-day). Mean recoveries of target compounds in adulterated products ranged from 84 to 115%. The relative standard deviation of stability was less than 12 % at $4^{\circ}C$ for 48 h. The method was employed to screen 14 dietary supplements advertised to be effective for the treatment of hair loss. Some of the products (~21 %) were proven to contain synthetic drugs that promote hair growth such as triaminodil, minoxidil, and finasteride.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) one of important herbal medicines in oriental medicine, is defined as the dried root of Aucklandia lappa (Asteraceae). Owing to the similarities in the morphology and name, Inulae Radix (Tu-Muxiang) and Vladimiriae Radix (Chuan-Muxiang) as well as Aristolochiae Radix (Qing-Muxiang) originated from other medicinal plants are often used as substitutes and/or adulterants of Aucklandiae Radix. Therefore, a reliable authentication of these herbal medicines is necessarily for the public health and prevention of misuse. Methods : 32 samples of medicinal plants supplying Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix were collected in Korea and China. The ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) nucleotide sequences of samples were determined. The PCR primers to amply DNA marker of each herbal medicine were designed basing on the specific ITS regions showing differences in the sequences among medicinal plants. Results : Primer set Al R/IS F designed in this work amplified 220 bp PCR product only in samples of Aucklandiae Radix. In contrast, primer set Ih F/IS R, Vs R/IS F, and AcR F1/Ac R amplified 250 bp product, 356 bp prouct, and 516 bp product respectively to identify Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. Conclusions : The primers designed basing on the nucleotide sequences of ITS regions appearing differenced in the sequences among medicinal plants amplified the DNA markers for the identification of Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. These herbal medicines were more efficiently identified by multiplex PCR method using all primers in a single PCR process.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The origin of Breeae Herba (So-gye) and Cirsii Herba (Dae-gye) is differently prescribed in Korean and Chinese modern pharmacopoeia. Since the similar morphological characteristics and chaotic plant names, moreover, the aerial part of Carduus crispus have been used as the Cirsii Herba. To develop a reliable method for correct identification of these herbal medicines and to evaluate the genetic relationship of these closely related plant species, we analyzed sequences of DNA barcode regions. Methods : Thirty-one samples of 6 medicinal plants (B. segeta, B. setosa, C. japonicum var. maackii, C. setidens, C. chanroenicum, and C. crispus) were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of DNA barcode regions (rDNA-ITS, matK, and rbcL) were analyzed after amplification using appropriate primers reported in previous studies. The nucleotides of species-specific authentic marker and phylogenetic relations were estimated based on the entire sequences of DNA barcodes by the analysis of ClastalW and UPGMA, respectively. Results : In comparative analysis of DNA barcode sequences, we obtained specific nucleotides to discriminate the medicinal plant of Breeae/Cirsii Herba in species level and evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of these species. Futhermore, we identified distinct marker nucleotides enough to authenticate respective species. These sequence differences at corresponding positions were avaliable genetic markers to determine the botanical origins of Breeae Herbal as well as Cirsii Herba. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish from unauthentic adulterants and substitutes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2019

Objective : Arnebiae Radix, the roots of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. or A. guttata Bunge, is a well-known traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. In the Korean Pharmacopoeia, three authentic species, including two Arnebia and Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. have recognized as a Lithospermi Radix. But, the morphological and taxonomic information of two authentic Arnebia species lacks date since their distribution and difficulty of accessing the natural habitats. Methods : A full description of the external morphological characteristics of vegetative and reproductive organs in the original plants was carried out using digital calipers and stereoscope. For providing their taxonomic and nomenclatural synonyms, we reviewed various plant checklists and taxonomic literature. Results : This study provides taxonomic information of A. euchroma and A. guttata based on a morphological examination of authentic plant individuals and field observations. Detailed descriptions of the two Arnebia species, major quantitative and qualitative characteristics, nomenclatural reviews, distribution maps, and lists of voucher specimens examined are provided. The shape of leaves, root length, stem number, calyx length and pubescence as well as corolla color were useful characteristics for identification. Moreover, we confirmed that A. euchroma and A. guttata are clearly heterostylous species. Conclusion : Our research provides valuable basic information that could be used as quality control for distinguishing between Arnebiae Radix and its adulterants. These results will help in the understanding of authentic plants and also provide the verified materials and voucher information.