Multispectral Imaging for Authenticity Identification and Quality Evaluation of Flos carthami

The identification and quality evaluation of Flos carthami were studied using tunable liquid spectral imaging instrument, to discuss the application range and advantages of spectral imaging technology in Chinese medicine identification and quality control field. The Flos carthami was indentified by extracting the normalized characteristic spectral curves of Flos carthami, Crocus sativus and Dendranthema morifolium, which were standard samples supplied by National Institute for Drug Control. The qualities of Flos carthamies collecting from different pharmacies were evaluated by extracting their normalized characteristic spectral curves. The imaging spectrum testing system was designed independently. The spectral resolution was 5 nm, and the spectral range was from 400 nm to 680 nm. The results showed that the normalized characteristic spectral curve of Flos carthami was significantly different from those of Crocus sativus’ and Dendranthema morifolium’s, and the fluorescence intensity of Flos carthami from different commercial sources were different. Spectral imaging technology could be used to identify and evaluate Flos carthami, and operation method was rapid, convenient and non-destructive.