Validation and comparison of different near-infrared quantitative methods to rapid determination of the total content of anthraquinones in Rhubarb based on accuracy profiles

Abstract

Near-infrared spectroscopy, as a fast and nondestructive analytical tool, is becoming attractive for quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the near-infrared quantitative methods for rapid determination of the total content of five anthraquinone ingredients were developed in two ways and validated and compared by the accuracy profile method based on the total error concept. Sixty-five Rhubarb samples were collected and characterized by near-infrared spectra. The first method was developed by establishing the quantitative model to quantify the total content of anthraquinones directly, while the second was developed by establishing different quantitative models to determine the content of each anthraquinone in rhubarb and to calculate the accumulation. External four rhubarb samples were collected and the validation data were obtained through a “4 × 3 × 3” factorial design. The trueness, precision, and accuracy of both methods were evaluated and compared by accuracy profiles. The results showed that the trueness, precision, and accuracy of the former near-infrared quantitative method were within the acceptable limits, and performed much better than the latter one. This indicated that the former method was more capable to accurately determine the total content of anthraquinones in rhubarb. Moreover, the accuracy profile provided a new path to evaluate and select a proper near-infrared quantitative method to quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

Keywords:

• Accuracy profile
• method validation
• near-infrared spectroscopy
• quality control
• Rhubarb

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 81073024]; the National Major Scientific and Technological Special Project for “Significant New Drugs Development” during the Thirteenth Five – year Plan Period [grant numbers 2017ZX09301077]; the Medical Science Foundation of Guangdong of the People’s Republic of China [grant numbers A2018295]; and the Guangdong administration of traditional Chinese medicine of the People’s Republic of China [grant numbers 20191193].