ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#The merhod of determination of traditional Chinese medicine of aconitum root has been established by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.@*METHODS@#With optimized matrix of 2,5-Dihydroxy- benzoic acid for herbal extract, the identification of aconitum root by MALDI-TOF-MS has been conditioned. By comparison of mass spetra of various of aconitium root, their fingerprint mass-to-charge ratios were found to perform identification. With the characteristic mass-to-charge ratios, It was shown that the mass spectrum of raw aconitum roots were obviously different from that of processed aconitum roots.@*RESULTS@#The raw radix aconiti could be differentiated from radix aconiti preparate by determination of MALDI-TOF-MS.@*CONCLUSION@#The identifical method of aconitum root by MALDI-TOF-MS is rapid, precise and sensitive, it can be used in toxicological analysis of medical tangle and illegal medical practice.