title: [Identification of elephantopi herba and its adulterants by LM/SEM observation and TLC scanning].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide identification basis for distinguishing Elephantopi Herba and its adulterants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin layer chromatography scanning (TLCS) methods were used to identify Didancao (Elephantopus scaber) and its adulterants Baihuadidancao (Elephantopus mollis) and Jiadidancao (Pseudelephantopus spicatus).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the microscopic features and TLC profiles, the commercial Didancao samples retailed in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau markets were identified as Elephantopus scaber.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These methods are accurate and reliable, which can be used for identification of Elephantopi Herba and its adulterants.
authors.affiliation: National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, Zhuhai 519020, China. kovhuicao@aliyun.com
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Institute of TCM and Natural Product, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Yao-Lan
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of TCM and Natural Product, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Cai
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Institute for Food and Drug Control, Guangzhou 510180, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Xue
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Pui-Hay
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: But
authors.affiliation: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Pang-Chui
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D002681:China; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D008853:Microscopy; D013624:Taiwan