To identify the authenticity of four batches of “Ophiopogonis Radix” in the market by means of multiple means, and to explore the reasons for exceeding the limit of its phloem bundles, so as to provide evidence for its inspection and detection.
Based on the relevant provisions of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl., a variety in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, comparing the common confused products of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl., Combined with traditional identification methods (character identification, microscopic identification) and modern analysis techniques (molecular biology ITS 2 sequence), the data of genuine products with mixed products and substandard phloem bundle samples were campared and analyzed.
The differences between Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour. and Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. were the surface color, the depth of vertical wrinkles and the thickness of the middle column, and the differences in microscopic cross-sections lay in the number of phloem bundles and whether the inner cortex cells were uniformly thickened. The four batches of “Ophiopogonis Radix” in the market all complied with the relevant regulations under Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl.. The number of unqualified phloem bundled into microscopic cross-sections. was more than 40%, but the inner cortex cells in the samples showed a comprehensive thickening phenomenon. The results of molecular biology study showed that the four batches of “Ophiopogonis Radix” on the market and the Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. were clustered into one, the Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour.var. prolifera Y. T. Ma and the Liriope muscari (Decne.) Baily were clustered into one, and showed obvious bar code spacing. The number of phloem bundles was obvious positively correlated with the diameter of wood core by correlation analysis of the number of phloem bundles and the quantitative indexes related to traits.
These four batches of “Ophiopogonis Radix” on the market are the original of genuine products. Combined with the experimental research, it is speculated that the cause of the unqualified number of phloem bundles may be related to the growth years, and the middle column thickness can roughly predict whether it can meet the requirements of pharmacopoeia. To determine whether Ophiopogonis Radix is an accurate medicinal material based on the original, we should not only make a conclusion based on a certain feature of a certain identification method, but also should combine multiple methods to determine accurately.
| 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 |