ABSTRACT
Identification of the native habitat of Chinese medicine decoction pieces plays an important role in the use of Chinese Heber medicine. However, the traditional method always based on subjective description, lack of quantitative information. In this study, nanomechanical analysis of Ophiopogonis Radix, Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma and Curcumae Aromaticae Radix coming from different districts was carried out by using the force-distance curve of atomic force microscopy (AFM), including stiffness (represented by the slope of the force curve) and adhesion work (calculated via the adhesion area of the retrace line in force-distance curve). The results showed that the Ophiopogonis Radix from Sichuan province (slope 0.03 +/- 0.001) was significantly stiffer but less sticky [adhesion work 393.98 +/- 49.21 x 10(-10)) J] in comparison with that from Hubei province [slope 0.018 +/- 0.001, adhesion work (985.67 +/- 91.61) x 10(-10) J]; the Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma Hunan province was stiffer (slope 0.03 +/- 0.002) and stickier [adhesion work (413.67 +/- 92.58) x10(-10) J] than that from Dongbei province [slope 0.019 +/- 0.002, adhesion work (27.37 +/- 11.05) x 10(-10) J]; the Curcumae Aromaticae Radix from Sichuan province was also stiffer (slope 0.019 +/- 0.0017) but less stickier [adhesion work (1179.79 +/- 225.05) x 10(-10) J] than that from Hubei province [slope 0.013 +/- 0.0006, adhesion work (2831.27 +/- 93.71) x 10(-10)]. It is indicated that changes in mechanical properties of Chinese medicine decoction pieces correlate well with their origin. This method may provide quantitative information for the identification of the native habitat of Chinese medicine decoction pieces.