ABSTRACT
The "black" of Chinese materia medica (CMM) has been criticized all the time. The Maillard reaction exists widely in the course of food processing, which affects the product's color and odor. The suitable conditions of Maillard reaction also exist in the processing of CMM preparation. The Maillard reaction has significant impact to the study of CMM's material basis. So the Maillard reaction and its products in the processing of CMM preparation should be studied. Taking the Danggui Buxue Decoction for instance, the chemical composition of the prescription was consulted by the TCMSP of Northwest A&F University, and then the constituents were classified, the possibility of the Maillard reaction occured in the processing of CMM preparation was analyzed. New ideas on study of material basis of CMM will be put forward.