Thin-layer chromatographic identification of Chinese propolis using chemometric fingerprinting.

Introduction: Poplar tree gum has a similar chemical composition and appearance to Chinese propolis (bee glue) and has been widely used as a counterfeit propolis because Chinese propolis is typically the poplar-type propolis, the chemical composition of which is determined mainly by the resin of poplar trees. The discrimination of Chinese propolis from poplar tree gum is a challenging task.

Objective: To develop a rapid thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) identification method using chemometric fingerprinting to discriminate Chinese propolis from poplar tree gum.

An image analysis system for thin-layer chromatography quantification and its validation.

Quantitation of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using image analysis is attractive for its low cost and convenience. The image analysis is investigated by designing a digital imaging system with simple equipment, developing an image analysis software based on our algorithm, and validated the system in the TLC quantitative assay of cichoric acid present in Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.

[Comparison of flavonoids in medicinal plants Melastoma].

The flavonoids in Melastoma dodecandrum Lour., M. sanguineum Sims, M.