Rapid identification of components in Wuzhuyu Decoction using UHPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS~n and molecular network technology / 中国中药杂志

Wuzhuyu Decoction, the classical formula recorded in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases(Shang Han Lun), has been included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions(the First Batch). Consisting of Euodiae Fructus, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and Jujubae Fructus, it is effective in warming the middle, tonifying deficiency, dispelling cold, and descending adverse Qi, and is widely applied clinically with remarkable efficacies. For a classical formula, the chemical composition is the material basis and an important premise for quantity value transfer. This study aimed to establish a rapid identification method of chemical components in Wuzhuyu Decoction by high-resolution mass spectrometry(HR-MS) and molecular network. AQUITY UPLC BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) was used for sample separation, and acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water was used as mobile phases for gradient elution. Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS data were collected in positive and negative ion modes, and GNPS molecular network was plotted according to the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation modes. Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to screen molecular clusters with similar structures. Finally, the chemical components of Wuzhuyu Decoction were rapidly identified according to the controls, as well as the information of retention time, accurate relative molecular weight of HR-MS, and MS/MS multistage fragments. A total of 105 chemical components were identified in Wuzhuyu Decoction. This study can provide data for the follow-up quality control, standard substance research, and pharmacodynamic material research on Wuzhuyu Decoction, as well as references for the rapid qualitative analysis of the chemical components of Chinese medicine.

Protective Effect of Tangshen Formula () on Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Colon of Diabetic Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of Tangshen Formula (, TSF), a Chinese herbal medicine, on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the colon of diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC, n=14) and high-fat diet (HFD) groups (n=40). After 6 weeks, the rats in the HFD group were injected intraperitoneally streptozotocin once (30 mg/kg). Thirty rats with fasting blood glucose higher than 11.7 mmol/L were randomly divided into diabetes (DM) and TSF groups, 15 rats in each group. Rats in the NC and DM groups were intragastrically administered with saline, and those in the TSF group were given with TSF (2.4 g/kg) once daily for 20 weeks. Expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in colonic smooth muscle layer were measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The number of ICC was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Immunofluorescence was used for analyzing the ratio of classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2) to total macrophages. Electron microscopy was used to observe the epithelial ultrastructure and junctions.@*RESULTS@#TSF appeared to partially prevented loss of ICC in DM rats (P<0.05). Compared with the NC group, expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and TNF-α as well as the ratio of M1 to total macrophages increased in DM rats (all P<0.05), and the ratio of M2 to total macrophages decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the DM group, TSF decreased the expression levels of abovementioned proteins and restore M2 to total macrophages ratio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSF appeared to attenuate the ultrastructural changes of epithelia and improve the tight and desmosome junctions between epithelia reduced in the DM rats.@*CONCLUSION@#Reduced number of ICC in DM rats may be associated with damage of the intestinal barrier. The protective effects of TSF on ICC may be through repair of the epithelial junctions, which attenuates inflammation and inflammation-initiated apoptosis in colon of DM rats.

Investigation of Potential Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus in Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:Combined with high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry （HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） and network pharmacology， to predict the target and potential mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus in the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Method:HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to identify the chemical constituents of Gardeniae Fructus according to the retention time， relative molecular weight， secondary mass spectrometry fragmentation and other information of chromatographic peaks， and combined with literature data. The targets of main active ingredients in Gardeniae Fructus were predicted by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and SwissTargetPrediction database. The potential targets of Gardeniae Fructus against cerebral ischemia were obtained through Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， GeneCards and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG）. Gene ontology （GO） function enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis of potential targets were analyzed with the DAVID 6.8. Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to construct the network of active components-targets-pathways. At last， Discovery Studio 2016 software was applied in the molecular docking verification between the key active ingredients and potential protein targets. Result:A total of 40 chemical constituents in Gardeniae Fructus were identified， including iridoids， diterpenoid pigments， organic acids， monoterpenoids and other components. According to the main active ingredients， 208 potential targets were predicted， 560 disease targets related to cerebral ischemia were retrieved， 59 key targets were selected by mapping component targets with disease targets. These targets could act on key target proteins such as tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， Caspase-3 （CASP3） and CASP8， and participate in the regulation of TNF， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， hypoxia inducible factor 1 （HIF-1） and other signal pathways. Molecular docking results showed that geniposide could interact with targets of prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 （PTGS2）， TNF<italic> </italic>and nuclear transcription factor-<italic>κ</italic>B p65 （RELA）， crocin Ⅰ could interact with interleukin-2 （IL-2）. Conclusion:Geniposide， crocin Ⅰ and other ingredients in Gardeniae Fructus can play a role of anti-inflammatory and inhibiting apoptosis to prevent or treat cerebral ischemic diseases by up-regulating protein expression level of RELA and IL-2， down-regulating protein expression level of TNF， CASP8， CASP3 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 （MMP2）， and regulating TNF， PI3K/Akt and HIF-1 signaling pathways.

Quality changes of Gardeniae Fructus Praeparatus processed by different frying methods: a color-component correlation analysis / 中国中药杂志

The chromatic values of the broken-fried and single-fried Gardeniae Fructus Praeparatus(GFP) were measured by the color analyzer to analyze the color variation rule, and the contents of 10 main components were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). The multivariate statistical analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and discriminant analysis were conducted to investigate the color and components of GFP samples. The experimental results revealed that L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~*ab decreased continuously during processing, and the color of samples gradually deepened. The trend and range of chromatic values during broken-frying and single-frying processes were basically identical. Gardenoside, crocin-Ⅰ(C-Ⅰ), and crocin-Ⅱ(C-Ⅱ) showed an obviously downward trend, while the contents of geniposidic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF) increased significantly. Shanzhiside, deacetyl-asperulosidic acid methyl ester, and geniposide(G2) showed a downward trend. Scandoside methyl ester rose first and fell later. Genipin-1-O-gentiobioside(G1) went through a decrease-increase-decrease trend. The change trends of component contents during broken-frying and single-frying processes were generally consistent, but the change range was different. Among all the components, scandoside methyl ester and G1 showed obvious change. Because of different stir-frying time, the change rate of each component content in the process of broken-frying was higher than that in single-frying process. Additionally, geniposidic acid, gardenoside, scandoside methyl ester, C-Ⅰ, C-Ⅱ, and 5-HMF exhibited a higher correlation with apparent color. On the basis of above findings, the discriminant function of two frying processes was established, which could be applied to the discrimination of broken-fried and single-fried samples. This study analyzed the dynamic quality change rule of GFP during broken-frying and single-frying processes based on color-component correlation analysis, and found the two methods showed consistent change trend, yet with slight difference in the quality of samples. This study can provide data support for the processing of GFP.

Correlation analysis of color change and Maillard reaction during processing of Gardeniae Fructus Praeparatus / 中国中药杂志

The chromaticity space parameters of the samples during the processing of Gardeniae Fructus Praeparatus(Jiaozhizi in Chinese herbal name, JZZ) were measured by the visual analyzer to analyze the color variation rule during the processing of JZZ, and the content changes of total reducing sugar, total amino acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF) related to Maillard reaction were measured. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis of the data were carried out by SPSS 24.0 software. The experimental results showed that the objective coloration of the samples in the processing of JZZ was basically consistent with the traditional subjective color judgment; the contents of total reducing sugar and total amino acids showed a decreasing trend during the processing of JZZ, and the content of 5-HMF showed an increasing trend, which was in line with Maillard reaction law. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that there was a significant correlation between the chromaticity space parameters L~*(lightness value), a~*(red green value), b~*(yellow blue value), E~*ab(total color value) and the contents of total reducing sugar, total amino acid and 5-HMF(P<0.01), among which the values of L~*, a~*, b~*, E~*ab were positively correlated with the contents of total reducing sugar and total amino acid, and negatively correlated with the contents of 5-HMF. The results of linear regression analysis also showed that these two were highly correlated. In this study, by establishing the correspondence relationship between the color change of JZZ processing and Maillard reactants, wecan not only provide a basis for the objective digital expression of subjective color of JZZ, but also provide a reference for explaining the processing mechanism of JZZ from a new perspective.

Brief study on processing characteristics of first batch of classical prescriptions and suggestions on textual research / 中国中药杂志

As an important treasure for the research and development of new Chinese medicines, the classical prescriptions have a long medical history in China and are the summary of the clinical experience of the medical experts in the past dynasties. To support the research and development of classical prescriptions,relevant encouraging policies were issued by the state and relevant administrative departments. It is one of the key problems in the development process of classical prescriptions to verify and determine the processing methods of prescription herbal drugs. At present, there is no consensus or standard on such problems of classical prescriptions. In this paper, we sorted out and analyzed the related content of the herb processing for classical prescriptions, summarized the characteristics of the processing methods in the Catalogue of classical prescriptions(First Batch) and the problems faced in the textual research, and put forward some suggestions on the processing and textual research, including four research strategies: sorting out the mainstream methods for herbs in various periods of classical prescriptions, clarifying histological changes in the processing methods, determining the processing methods based on the drug processing characteristics, determining the processing methods based on the processing functions and identifying the processing methods according to the clinical efficacy and indication, so as to provide ideas and references for the research of processing methods involved in classical prescriptions.

Establishment of extraction method for Gardeniae Fructus extract and its application in evaluating different Gardeniae Fructus decoction pieces / 中国中药杂志

In this experiment,the gradation analysis method was used to evaluate the quality of different pieces of Gardeniae Fructus through the extraction rate difference and the difference analysis of the main components in the extract. In this experiment cold-dip and hot-dip methods were used to compare the yield of Gardeniae Fructus extract and the content of chemical constituents with water,25%,50%,75% and 95% ethanol fractions. By weighted calculation,the optimal extraction method of Gardeniae Fructus was determined,and this was verified by practical application. RESULTS:: showed that for the water-soluble extract,cold dip method was better than the hot dip method; and for alcohol-soluble extract,75% ethanol under cold dip method was best. The verification results showed that water-soluble extracts under cold dip methods could be used to significantly distinguish the raw Gardeniae Fructus( GF) and processed( stir-baked) GF( GFP) collected from the market. Meanwhile,this method could be also used to distinguish the same batch of GF,GFP and carbonized GF( GFC) with significant differences,respectively( P<0. 05). Ethanol-soluble extract can be used to clearly distinguish GFP and GFC pieces in the same batch( P<0. 05). The results of content determination showed that the variation coefficient of components in GF processed products was higher than that in extracts,and the content of hydroxygeniposide was the most significant component between GF and its processed products. It is suggested that the method of water-soluble extract of GF and the determination of the content of gardoside should be combined together to evaluate the quality of GF and its heat processed products.

Research Progress of Processing in Production Place and Processing Methods of Bupleuri Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Bupleuri Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in clinical practice, which has the effects of relieving fever, relieving liver and depression, and promoting Yangqi. At present, the varieties of Bupleuri Radix are relatively chaotic, and the processing in the production areas is relatively extensive. In the processing of Bupleuri Radix, the processed products contained in the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia are raw products and vinegar-processed products. In addition, the specifications on Chinese medicine processing in various provinces and cities contain many processing methods, such as stir-frying with wine, stir-frying with honey, processed with turtle blood, etc. However, there are great differences in processing specifications among provinces and cities, and the processing methods lack clear process parameters, so the quality of Bupleuri Radix decoction pieces produced on these basis is uneven, which affects the clinical application of the decoction pieces. By consulting ancient books and relevant literature, the authors conduct textual research on the varieties of Bupleuri Radix, and systematically summarized the processing methods and processing methods in the producing area, so as to provide reference for the establishment of processing technology specifications and quality standards of Bupleuri Radix decoction pieces.

Issues in Process of Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Discipline and Chinese Herbal Pieces Industry / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Based on the investigation for the status of inheritance,innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline and Chinese herbal pieces industry in recent years,several problems worth discussing were analyzed in this paper.The definition of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs,the contents and methods of inheritance and innovation were put forward.It is aimed at building a consensus and further promoting the development of disciplines and industries.

Transformation of production mode and innovation of production technology of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs-feasibility study on intelligent production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs / 中国中药杂志

With the publishment of the application guideline for the key project of "Research on Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine" by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2018, the problem of "intelligentization" in the production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs has attracted more and more attention from the industry. Some suggestions on the intelligentization of the production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs in the course of transformation of production mode and innovation of production technology of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs" were proposed in this paper, which in order to help the implementation of the project and the development of decoction pieces industry.

Analysis of volatile ingredients in Gardeniae Fructus and its processed products by GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

Gardeniae Fructus contains volatile ingredients, however, the species and proportions in different processed products of Gardeniae Fructus are different. In this experiment, volatile ingredients were separated by steam distillation with content of 1.2, 1.0, 0.9, 0.7 µL · g(-1) in Gardeniae Fructus, fried Gardeniae Fructus, stir-baked Gardeniae Fructus, Gardeniae Fructus fried into carbon respectively. One hundred and twenty-four kinds of volatile components were identified by GC-MS. Fifty-three kinds of volatile ingredients consisted in Gardeniae Fructus accounting for 93.85%, 54 kinds in fried Cardeniae Fructus accounting for 92.01%, 32 kinds in stir-baked Cardeniae Fructus accounting for 91.59% and 43 kinds in Gardeniae Fructus fried into carbon accounting for 90.81%. In this paper, analysis of Gardeniae Fructus by GC-MS provides a scientific basis for elucidating the mechanism of different processed products.

Research progress on processed Chinese medicine in vivo / 中国中药杂志

Processed Chinese medicine is the core of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry chain,which directly affects the clinical efficacy and. safety of Chinese patent medicine and clinical formula Decoction pieces. Studied the variation of effective substance in vivo Chinese medicine processing before and after processed, clarifying the effective substance and processing principle is a top priority of the development of Chinese medicine processing. The traditional research method chiefly focus on the variation about chemicals in vitro of processed Chinese medicine, it cannot reveal that the integrity and complexity of processed Chinese medicine efficacy changes, so the change process is the focus of future research in vivo on the base of effective substance of TCM This paper described the research on the base of effective substance of TCM and Processed Chinese medicine research status in vitro, discussed the analytical methods (plasma chemistry, pharmacokinetics, metabonomics) of the dynamic process in vivo about processed Chinese medicine, and pointed out development and related problems in process in vivo on the base of effective substance of TCM, which could provided research ideas and methods for in-depth interpretation of Chinese medicine processing mechanism.

Content comparison of main chemical compositions in Gardenia jasminoids roasted with ginger juice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the contents of the main chemical compositions in Gardenia jasminoids before and after being roasted with ginger juice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Four diterpenoid pigments constituents (C-1, C-2, C-3, crocetin) were determined simultaneously by UPLC on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-0.5% formic acid anhydrous in gradient elution as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm and the flow rate was 0.4 mL x min(-1). Two iridoids constituents (G-1, G-2) were determined simultaneously by HPLC on an Agilent TC-C18(2) column at 35 degrees C with acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid anhydrous (18:82) as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 238 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After being processed with ginger juice, the contents of the diterpenoid pigments constituents decreased slightly and the contents of the iridoids constituents increased slightly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The contents of the main chemical compositions in G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice increased slightly with some regularity, but there were no significant differences.</p>

Chemical constituents from roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum (V) / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents in roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum from Henan.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and ODS, and identified by NMR, MS spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds, Pd-I b(1), marmesinsin (2), rutarin (3), isorutarin (4), 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-7-O-alpha-D-glucuronyl methyl ester (5), 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-7-O-alpha-D-glucuronyl acid (6) were isolated and identified.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 5 was a new compound, compounds 5 and 6 were isolated from Peucedanum plant for the first time.</p>

Establishing quality assurance system of processed Chinese medicine to ensure clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

For the purpose of stabilizing and enhancing the clinical effect, the author suggested that it should develop the key technology of integrated innovation research such as origin producing area processing technology, medicinal parts and energy-saving rapid drying technology, process control technology, quality evaluation key technology, packaging and bar code identification technology to establish the quality assurance system of processed Chinese medicine, which is the key to ensure the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine.

Analysis of volatile oil in Gardenia jasminoids roasted with ginger juice by GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the components and contents of volatile oil in Gardenia jasminoids, Zingiber officinale, G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice and to provide scientific basis for intrinsic material of G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The volatile oil in the three herbal medicines was extracted by steam distillation, the components were analyzed by GC-MS and the contents of the components were calculated by area normalization method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The contents of volatile oil in G. jasminoids, Z. officinale, G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice were 1.0, 2.0, 1.5 microL x g(-1), respectively. A total of 89 components were identified by GC-MS. Although 42, 75 and 77 peaks were separated, only 30, 58 and 67 components were identified accordingly, which accounted 94.1%, 90.52% and 94.38% of the whole volatile oil.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After being processed with ginger juice, the components and contents of volatile oil in G. jasminoids has been changed obviously.</p>

Variety regulation of aloe-emodin-3-CH2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside in five processed pieces from Rheum palmatum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the contents of two another anthraquinone-O-glucosides in five different processed products from Rheum palmatum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Aloe-emodin-3-CH2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were determined simultaneously by HPLC on an Agilent TC-C18 (2) column at 35 degrees C with the tetrahydrofuran-1% glacial acetic acid (25:75). The detection wavelength was set at 410 nm and the flow rate was 0.9 mL x min(-1).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The calibration curves for two components were linear within the range of 0.0090-0.2704 microg (r = 0.9996), 0.0396-1.188 microg (r = 0.9996), and the average recoveries were 97.85%, 97.19% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results showed the remarkable variation regulations among the five different processed pieces. The contents of the crude pieces and the pieces roasted vinegar were almost the same, while the pieces roasted with millet wine were a little higher than that of the crude pieces, and the contents at the two components in prepared pieces and charring pieces evidently reduced.</p>

HPLC fingerprints of processed products from Sinapis alba / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the HPLC fingerprint method and compare the changes of chemical compositions of the processed products from Sinapis alba.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The procedure of HPLC analysis was performed on a agilent TC-C18 (2) column at 35 degrees C with the acetonitrile -0.1% phosphoric acid in gradient elution as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (Version 2004 A) was applied to analyze the similarity.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The average similarities among the processed products were over 0.96, the standard HPLC fingerprint and five main chromatographic peaks with the isolated compounds was obtained and identified.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established methods with two solvents are suitable for the HPLC fingerprints determination which elementary elucidate the scientific intensions of breaking the enzyme for glycosides.</p>

Glycosides of roasted seeds of Cassia obtusifolia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of the roasted seeds of Cassia obtusifolia, and to illuminate the change of its effective components before and after being roasted.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and repeatedly purified by macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by physical and chemical properties and NMR data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three components were obtained from ethanol extract, and the structures were identified as nor-rubrofusarin-6-O-beta-D-(6'-O-acetyl) -glucopyranoside (1), 1-desmethyl- aurantio-obtusin-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), obtusin (3).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from the roasted seeds of C. obtusifolia for the first time, and compound 1 was a new compound.</p>

Determination of two stilbene glycoside in five processed products of Rheum palamatum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare of the contents of two stilbene glycoside in five processed products of Rheum palamatum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The contents of trans-3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (a) and trans-3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene-4'-Obeta-D-(6"-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside (b) were determined by HPLC analysis at 35 degrees C with methanol-1% acetic acid as mobile phase, the wavelengths were set at 280, 300 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The two components could be detected in five processed products, and their contents were more close in the no-parched pieces, the vinegar roasts pieces and the wine roast pieces. However, the contents reduced significantly in other two kinds of pieces which were lower than 80 percent of no-parched pieces.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High temperature may result in a significant reduction on glycoside in the pieces of rhubarb, and we have received similar results from determination of other glycoside compounds. Further analysis and comparison with the content of their corresponding aglycones, can provide a scientific basis to explain the variation of the material basis in the processed products of rhubarb.</p>