Objective To construct and compare the fingerprint profiles of Astragalus samples from different origins based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-charged aerosol detector (UPLC-CAD) technology, achieve quality evaluation and origin identification of Astragalus. Methods Using UPLC-CAD technology, this study focused on flavonoid and saponin components to construct the fingerprint of wild-simulated Astragalus membranaceus from the Hengshan Mountains, based on 29 batches of samples collected from multiple geographical origins. Statistical analysis methods such as cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used for analysis and evaluation. Results The fingerprint successfully marked 26 common peaks, and 8 key characteristic peaks were identified, including complanatoside A, ononin, astragaloside I to IV, etc. Cluster analysis clearly divided the samples into two major categories, revealing the influence of regional differences on the quality of Astragalus membranaceus. PCA further extracted 7 principal components. OPLS-DA analysis accurately predicted 8 kinds of key compounds influencing the quality differences, which were closely related to origin, cultivation methods, and growth duration. Conclusion This study successfully constructed a fingerprint capable of distinguishing Astragalus based on its origin, cultivation methods, and growth conditions by integrating UPLC-CAD technology with multivariate chemometric analysis. This method can be used to evaluate the fingerprint similarity of Astragalus membranaceus (Hengshan Mountain wild-simulated), with high specificity and sensitivity, which provids a scientific basis for the quality assessment of wild-simulated Astragalus from the Hengshan Mountains.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |