Article · Volume 10, Issue 39 · pp. 304–313

Analysis of the influence of sulfur‑fumigation on the volatile components of Angelicae sinensis Radix by comprehensive two‑dimensional gas chromatography/ time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry

Gang Cao^2,3,4, Hao Cai^2,4, Yajing Lou², Sicong Tu⁵, Xiao Liu^2,4, Kunming Qin², Baochang Cai^2,3,4

¹Department of Chinese Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing.
²Research Center of TCM Processing Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou.
³National First-Class Key Discipline for Science of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, P. R. China.
⁴Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Sulfur‑fumigation of Angelicae sinensis Radix causes changes in the structure and composition of volatile components. These changes alter the curative effect and the quality of A. sinensis Radix.Materials and Methods: In this study, comprehensive two‑dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC‑TOFMS) was employed to investigate the influence of sulfur‑fumigation on the volatile components, and to characterize and quantify the chemical composition of the volatile oil of A. sinensis Radix.Results: The present study has shown that sulfur‑fumigated A. sinensis Radix samples had significant loss of the main active compounds and a more destructive fingerprint profile compared to non‑fumigated samples.Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the combination of GC × GC and TOFMS has potential as a quality monitoring tool in herbal medicine and food processing industries.

Keywords: Angelicae sinensis Radix; comprehensive two‑dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry; quality control; sulfur‑fumigation; volatile compounds

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