title: [Rapid identification of Cortex moutan radicis and similar aromatic Chinese herbs by headspace gas chromatography].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the method for rapid identification of the quality of Cortex moutan radicis and similar aromatic Chinese herbs by headspace gas chromatography (HSGC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The constituents of headspace gas from Chinese herbs, such as Cortex moutan radicis,Radix cynanchi paniculati and root-bark of Paeonia lactiflora. were analyzed by HSGC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The characteristic finger-print headspace chromatograms of these three drugs were different from one another. Cortex moutan radicis stored for 4 years under common conditions contained only traces of paeonol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSGC was simple, quick and accurate in identifying and controlling the quality of aromatic Chinese herbs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicinal Fungi & Bio-Technology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China. chenjw55@sina.com
authors.forename: Jian-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhu-Ren
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D029596:Paeonia / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; C013638:paeonol