Authentication of Single Herbal Powders Enabled by Microscopy-Guided In Situ Auto-sampling Combined with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In the long history of investigation of herbal products, microscopic examination has greatly contributed to the authentication of herbs in a powder form. However, it cannot provide the chemical profiles of herbal powders and thus is limited to morphological identification. In this work, we present a label-free and automatic approach for the characterization and identification of single herbal powders and their adulterants, enabled through the combination of microscopy-guided auto-sampling and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). To meet the demand for automatic and highly efficient in situ extraction, the glass slide was coated with gelatin to immobilize dried herbal powders that cannot stick to the glass slide like fresh and hydrated cells. The gelatin coating also facilitated the pump-out of chemical components and prevented diffusion across the interface enabled by the formation of a tight contact at the probe tip and surface. Optical microscopy was applied to acquire the microstructure and position of the herbal powders immobilized on the gelatin-coated slide. The candidate single herbal powders were picked out by a software for subsequent auto-sampling and MALDI MS identification. The combination of microstructure features and chemical profiles significantly improved the authentication capability of microscopic examination.

Automated summary

In this study, a label-free and automatic approach for the characterization and identification of herbal powders and their adulterants was developed. The method combined microscopy-guided auto-sampling and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to provide both morphological identification and chemical profiles. A gelatin coating on the glass slide immobilized the dried herbal powders, allowing for in situ extraction and preventing diffusion. Optical microscopy was used to acquire microstructure information, and software was employed to select candidate powders for MALDI-MS identification. The combination of microstructure features and chemical profiles greatly enhanced the authentication capability of microscopy.