No abstract

Crystalline microtubes of functional Cu(TCNQ) were prepared using a facile method of dissolution. XRD, SAED, and EDX characterization showed that they belonged to phase I of Cu(TCNQ), which is important in nanoelectronics and nanodevices. Furthermore, a novel micrometer and nanometer structure co-patterned morphology was assembled, which may have potential applicaton in building nanoscale electrodes or patterning other nanosize functional materials.

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is a plant that has been classified as one of the “One Root of Medicine and Food”, and it can be used both as medicine and as food. To explore the influence of different varieties and harvest periods on the quality of different medicinal parts of P. frutescens, a comprehensive study on the chemical constituents of P. frutescens based on plant metabolomics was conducted. A total of 57 nonvolatile chemical components and 105 volatile chemical components of P. frutescens were characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, 35, 27, and 2 nonvolatile constituents as well as 16, 16, and 18 volatile constituents were identified as potential markers for discriminating P. frutescens between different medicinal parts, different varieties, and different harvest periods, respectively. Besides, 22 bioactive compounds of P. frutescens were quantitatively determined by a new sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method. This study comprehensively compares the differences and similarities of P. frutescens among the different medicinal parts, different varieties, and different harvest periods, and the results of this study may provide a theoretical basis and guidance for studying the quality evaluation and the optimization of the harvest period of this plant.

The root of Panax notoginseng, a highly valued medicine and functional food, is the main part used for medicinal purposes. However, the stems and leaves are also used in practice. To provide a chemical basis for various uses, a quantitative comparison of 18 saponins using a non-targeted metabolomics approach was established, so as to investigate the chemical profiles of the different parts of P. notoginseng. The established strategy revealed that roots and stems, with their similar chemical characteristics, consisted mainly of protopanaxatriol-type saponins, whereas protopanaxadiol-type saponins were principally present in the leaves. Multivariate analysis further suggested that the quality of the stems and leaves of P. notoginseng was significantly affected by its geographical origin. Furthermore, 52 constituents (26 non-volatile and 26 volatile) were identified as potential markers for discriminating between different parts of the plant. Taken together, the study provides comprehensive chemical evidence for the rational application and exploitation of different parts of P. notoginseng.

Chrysanthemum originates in China and has been cultivated for tea and food utilizations over two thousand years. According to differences in origin and processing methods, Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. can be categorized into many cultivars. This study aims to investigate the chemical components in chrysanthemum and clarify similarities and differences between different chrysanthemum varieties. A total of 55 non-volatile components and 66 volatile components in chrysanthemum were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods, respectively. A rapid UPLC -MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 13 active components in 30 batches chrysanthemum samples of ten different cultivars. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to analyze the samples. The result indicated that Boju, Huaiju and Chuju were more similar in terms of the ingredient content and Qiju, Jinsihuangju, Huangju, Hangju, Gongju, Fubaiju, Baiju have a high degree of similarity. Furthermore, isochlorogenic acid C, luteolin, apigenin-7-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, apigenin and cryptochlorogenic acid plays an important role in distinguishing different varieties of chrysanthemum. The established strategy explains the similarities and differences between different varieties of chrysanthemums to some extent, and provides certain reference value for the choice of chrysanthemums for eating or medicinal purposes in daily life.