Rapid and accurate identification of adulterants via an electronic nose and DNA identification platform: Identification of fake velvet antlers as an example

Abstract

Background. Adulterants in Chinese medicines had always affected the efficacy of Chinese medicines and resulted in safety problems in drug use. We aimed to take the identification of fake velvet antlers as an example for establishment of a rapid and accurate identification platform for modern pharmaceutical companies and markets of Chinese medicine. Methods. In this study, we developed a novel electronic nose and DNA identification platform for identifying fake velvet antlers. Electronic nose was designed for rapid screening, while accurate identification based on DNA method was performed when electronic nose fails to accurately identify some complex samples. Results. Rapid identification of different velvet antlers based on electronic nose showed the good identification power, while accurate identification based on DNA sequencing technology demonstrated a correct identification rate of 100%. We also mined thirty conserved specific sites of fake velvet antlers, which was useful for further work. Conclusions. The results suggested that electronic nose and DNA identification platform was effective for rapid and accurate identification of fake velvet antlers. It highly improved efficiency and decreased cost of identification and could provide a new sight and inspiration for identification in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).