title: Fast analysis of principal volatile compounds in crude and processed Atractylodes macrocephala by an automated static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atractylodes macrocephala, a famous herbal medicine, is used extensively in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Processing procedure is a common approach that usually occurs before A. macrocephala is prescribed. This paper describes a sensitive and specific assay for the determination of principal volatile compounds in crude and processed A. macrocephala.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study concentrated on the development of a static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC/MS) for separating and identifying of volatile compounds from crude and processed A. macrocephala samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the volatile oil in crude and processed A. macrocephala was markedly quantitatively and qualitatively different. Processing resulted in the reduction of volatile oil contents and variation of chemical compositions in A. macrocephala.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed method proved that SHS-GC/MS is rapid and specific, and should also be useful for evaluating the quality of crude and processed medicinal herbs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jida
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Research Center of TCM Processing Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Research Center of TCM Processing Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yunhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Chengping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
keywords: Atractylodes macrocephala; processed; quality control; static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; volatile compounds