Electronic eye and electronic tongue data fusion combined with a GETNet model for the traceability and detection of Astragalus.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine material that is easily confused due to its quality, price and other factors derived from different origins. This article describes a novel method for the rapid tracing and detection of Astragalus via the joint application of an electronic tongue (ET) and an electronic eye (EE) combined with a lightweight convoluted neural network (CNN)-transformer model. First, ET and EE systems were employed to measure the taste fingerprints and appearance images, respectively, of different Astragalus samples. Three spectral transform methods - the Markov transition field, short-time Fourier transform and recurrence plot - were utilized to convert the ET signals into 2D spectrograms. Then, the obtained ET spectrograms were fused with the EE image to obtain multimodal information. A lightweight hybrid model, termed GETNet, was designed to achieve pattern recognition for the Astragalus fusion information. The proposed model employed an improved transformer module and an improved Ghost bottleneck as its backbone network, complementarily utilizing the benefits of CNN and transformer architectures for local and global feature representation. Furthermore, the Ghost bottleneck was further optimized using a channel attention technique, which boosted the model's feature extraction effectiveness. RESULTS: The experiments indicate that the proposed data fusion strategy based on ET and EE devices has better recognition accuracy than that attained with independent sensing devices. CONCLUSION: The proposed method achieved high precision (99.1%) and recall (99.1%) values, providing a novel approach for rapidly identifying the origin of Astragalus, and it holds great promise for applications involving other types of Chinese herbal medicines. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Quality difference analysis of raw and vinegar-processed products of Qingpi based on color and component correlation.

The dried young fruit of Citrus reticulata Blanco, known as Qingpi, is commonly used in clinic both with its raw and vinegar-processed products. However, the distinctions in quality between these two products remain unclear, and the methods for identification are considerably intricate. In this study, an electronic eye technique was applied to assess the overall color of Qingpi products before and after processing. The luminosity (L*) and yellow-blue (b*) values of Qingpi decreased after vinegar processing, while red-green (a*) values increased. The discriminant function models based on color parameters were established to effectively classify the two products. The chemical compositions of different Qingpi products were characterized using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography fingerprint technology, and 10 distinct components were considered as potential chemical markers. The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between chromatic values and chemical components. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that chromaticity can be effectively considered as a valuable instrument for the prediction of component content in both raw and vinegar-processed Qingpi products. This study will provide new ideas and methods for identification and quality evaluation of Qingpi processed products, as well as provide a reference for standardizing traditional Chinese medicine processing techniques.

Rapid quality evaluation of four kinds of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata by electronic eye combined with chemometrics.

INTRODUCTION: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a widely used herbal medicine, has trouble with the hepatic adverse effect. Processing is an effective method to increase potency and reduce the adverse effects of herbal medicines. Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP), the decoction pieces processed from raw material, is widely consumed in clinical practice in many countries. The quality control of PMRP has attracted more and more attention worldwide. OBJECTIVE: A simple and rapid quality evaluation method using an electronic eye (E-eye) combined with chemometrics was proposed for controlling the quality of PMRP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The semi-quantitative and quantitative data of 105 major components in 128 batches of PMRP samples obtained by three different analysis instruments were fused to investigate the correlation with the dynamic exterior colour determined by E-eye. The correlation between exterior colour and chemical fusion dataset was investigated by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). According to the results of correlation analysis, the color parameters of high-quality PMRP was set. RESULTS: Correlation studies by chemometrics revealed that the exterior colour depth was significantly correlated with 32 components [variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1.0, p < 0.05]. The colour parameter of E * ab located in the range of 46.69-51.66 can be used easily, rapidly, and in an environment-friendly way to determine whether the PMRP sample has reached sufficient processing time with good quality. CONCLUSION: This study adds some scientific information to our understanding of traditional medicine while contributing an alternative method for assessing the quality of other decoction pieces.

A Novel Method for Quality Evaluation of Gardeniae fructus Praeparatus during Heat Processing Based on Sensory Characteristics and Chemical Compositions.

The intrinsic chemical components and sensory characteristics of Gardeniae fructus Praeparatus (GFP) directly reflect its quality and subsequently, affect its clinical curative effect. However, there is little research on the correlation between the appearance traits and chemical compositions of GFP during heat processing. In this study, the major components of five typical processed decoction pieces of GFP were determined. With the deepening of processing, the contents of geniposidic acid and 5-HMF gradually increased, while the contents of deacetyl-asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside, and two pigments declined. Moreover, the electronic eye, electronic tongue, and electronic nose were applied to quantify GFP's sensory properties. It was found that the chroma values showed a downward trend during the processing of GFP. The results of odor showed that ammonia, alkenes, hydrogen, and aromatic compounds were the material base for aroma characteristics. Complex bitterness in GF was more obvious than that in other GFP processed products. Furthermore, one mathematical model was established to evaluate the correlation between the sensory characteristics and chemical composition of GFP during five different stages. A cluster analysis and neural network analysis contributed to recognizing the processing stage of GFP. This study provided an alternative method for the exterior and interior correlation-based quality evaluation of herbs.

[Quality analysis of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus in different harvest time by HPLC combined with electronic eye technology].

As a local variety of medicinal material, Citri Trifoliatae Fructus is widely used in many places, whereas its harvest time remains unclear. Therefore, studying its harvest time can make more reasonable use of this medicinal material. In this study, we determined the flavonoids content and compared the color of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus harvested in different time, aiming to guide the harvest of this medicinal material. The fresh fruits of Citrus trifoliata were collected from Xinxiang city, Henan province, graded according to the diameter range, and then dried. The contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin in Citri Trifoliatae Fructus were determined by HPLC, and the color values of the samples were detected by electronic eye. The correlation analysis of the obtained data was carried out to explore the relationships of color and diameter with quality. The results showed that the contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin varied significantly in different harvest time, within the ranges of 0.21-1.20, 2.21-11.59, and 3.73-23.16 mg·g~(-1), respectively. With the delay of harvest time, Citri Trifoliatae Fructus showed the color changing from green to yellow, gradually increased diameter, and gradually decreased contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin. The contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin were negatively correlated with the degree of red and green(a~*) and positively correlated with the degree of yellow and blue(b~*). The contents of naringen and poncirin had significantly negative correlations with the diameter. This study indicates that the quality of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus can be judged by its diameter and skin color, which provides a theoretical basis for the rational harvest of this medicinal material.

Quality analysis of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus in different harvest time by HPLC combined with electronic eye technology / 中国中药杂志

As a local variety of medicinal material, Citri Trifoliatae Fructus is widely used in many places, whereas its harvest time remains unclear. Therefore, studying its harvest time can make more reasonable use of this medicinal material. In this study, we determined the flavonoids content and compared the color of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus harvested in different time, aiming to guide the harvest of this medicinal material. The fresh fruits of Citrus trifoliata were collected from Xinxiang city, Henan province, graded according to the diameter range, and then dried. The contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin in Citri Trifoliatae Fructus were determined by HPLC, and the color values of the samples were detected by electronic eye. The correlation analysis of the obtained data was carried out to explore the relationships of color and diameter with quality. The results showed that the contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin varied significantly in different harvest time, within the ranges of 0.21-1.20, 2.21-11.59, and 3.73-23.16 mg·g~(-1), respectively. With the delay of harvest time, Citri Trifoliatae Fructus showed the color changing from green to yellow, gradually increased diameter, and gradually decreased contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin. The contents of isonaringin, naringen, and poncirin were negatively correlated with the degree of red and green(a~*) and positively correlated with the degree of yellow and blue(b~*). The contents of naringen and poncirin had significantly negative correlations with the diameter. This study indicates that the quality of Citri Trifoliatae Fructus can be judged by its diameter and skin color, which provides a theoretical basis for the rational harvest of this medicinal material.

[A rapid identification of authenticity and specifications of Chinese medicine Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus based on E-eye technology].

The quality of traditional Chinese medicine tablets is correlated with clinical efficacy and drug safety, and plays a great role in promoting the development of traditional Chinese medicine. However, the existing traditional artificial identification and modern instrument detection in terms of accuracy and timeliness have both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, how to quickly and accurately identify the quality of traditional Chinese medicine tablets has become a high-profile issue. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of the application of electronic eye technology in the study of rapid identification of traditional Chinese medicine quality. A total of 80 batches of samples were collected and tested by Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus for traditional empirical identification(M_1) and modern pharmacopeia(M_2). The optical data was collected from electronic eyes, and the chemical metrology was used to establish suitable discrimination models(M_3). Four authenticity and commodity specification models, namely identification analysis(DA), minimum bidirectional support vector machine(LS-SVM), partial minimum two-multiplier analysis(PLS-DA), main component analysis identification analysis(PCA-DA), were established, respectively. The accuracies of the authenticity identification models were 82.5%, 90.0%, 96.2% and 93.8%, while the accuracies of the commodity specification identification models were 89.3%, 96.0%, 90.7% and 97.3%, respectively. The models were well judged, the authenticity identification was based on the final identification model of PLS-DA, and the commodity specification was based on the final identification model of PCA-DA. There was no significant difference between its accuracy and M_1, and the time of determination was much shorter than M_2(P<0.01). Therefore, electronic-eye technology could be used for the rapid identification of the quality of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus.

A rapid identification of authenticity and specifications of Chinese medicine Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus based on E-eye technology / 中国中药杂志

The quality of traditional Chinese medicine tablets is correlated with clinical efficacy and drug safety, and plays a great role in promoting the development of traditional Chinese medicine. However, the existing traditional artificial identification and modern instrument detection in terms of accuracy and timeliness have both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, how to quickly and accurately identify the quality of traditional Chinese medicine tablets has become a high-profile issue. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of the application of electronic eye technology in the study of rapid identification of traditional Chinese medicine quality. A total of 80 batches of samples were collected and tested by Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus for traditional empirical identification(M_1) and modern pharmacopeia(M_2). The optical data was collected from electronic eyes, and the chemical metrology was used to establish suitable discrimination models(M_3). Four authenticity and commodity specification models, namely identification analysis(DA), minimum bidirectional support vector machine(LS-SVM), partial minimum two-multiplier analysis(PLS-DA), main component analysis identification analysis(PCA-DA), were established, respectively. The accuracies of the authenticity identification models were 82.5%, 90.0%, 96.2% and 93.8%, while the accuracies of the commodity specification identification models were 89.3%, 96.0%, 90.7% and 97.3%, respectively. The models were well judged, the authenticity identification was based on the final identification model of PLS-DA, and the commodity specification was based on the final identification model of PCA-DA. There was no significant difference between its accuracy and M_1, and the time of determination was much shorter than M_2(P<0.01). Therefore, electronic-eye technology could be used for the rapid identification of the quality of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus.

The qualitative and quantitative assessment of tea quality based on E-nose, E-tongue and E-eye combined with chemometrics.

Electronic nose (E-nose), electronic tongue (E-tongue) and electronic eye (E-eye) combined with chemometrics methods were applied for qualitative identification and quantitative prediction of tea quality. Main chemical components, such as amino acids, catechins, polyphenols and caffeine were measured by traditional methods. Feature-level fusion strategy for the integration of the signals was introduced to integrate the E-nose, E-tongue and E-eye signals, aiming at improving the performances of identification and prediction models. Perfect results with an accuracy of 100% were obtained for qualitative identification of tea quality grades, based on fusion signals by support vector machine and random forest. Quantitative models were established for predicting the contents of the chemical components based on independent electronic signals and fusion signals by partial least squares regression, support vector machine and random forest. Random forest based on the fusion signals achieved the best performance in predicting the concentration of those chemical components.