Quality evaluation of Aster souliei based on quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker

To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for the determination of Aster souliei Franch., the relative correction factors (f_x) of neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol were established by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with chlorogenic acid as internal reference. Meanwhile, the content of each component was determined by the external standard method (ESM) and QAMS, and a linear regression model was established to verify the feasibility and accuracy of the QAMS. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of 23 batches of A. souliei. The results showed that the repeatability of each f_x was good. The average content of neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol in 23 batches of A. souliei by QAMS was 0.165, 0.234, 6.115, 0.478, 0.484, 3.359, 1.382, 0.210, 0.172, and 0.057 mg·g^-1, respectively. The mean content determined by the ESM method was 0.163, 0.235, 6.172, 0.479, 0.483, 3.343, 1.413, 0.207, 0.171, and 0.056 mg·g^-1. The results of HCA and OPLS-DA analysis show that 23 batches of A. souliei can be divided into two groups based on caffeic acid content. The content of the first group was between 0.873 to 5.647 mg·g^-1, while the second was between 8.524 to 16.705 mg·g^-1. This QAMS method can be used to simply and quickly evaluate the quality A. souliei.