Delphi-based study on scientificity of organoleptic evaluation for rhubarb commercial specification.
- Author:
Jiabo WANG
1
;
Xueru ZHANG
;
Xiaohui CHU
;
Mingjin HUANG
;
Cheng JIN
;
Dan YAN
;
Xiaohe XIAO
;
Tasi LIU
Author Information
1. China Military Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, 302 Military Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Delphi Technique;
Rheum;
standards;
Sensation
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2010;35(20):2657-2661
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
In this study the reliability and scientificity of organoleptic evaluation for the commercial specification of Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) was investigated with Delphi method, using rhubarb as an example. The consensus panel of panelists being expert in organoleptic evaluation for CMM was cogitatively selected, with high average authority index of 0.81. The average individual repeatability of selected panelists was 85%, while the group repeatability was above 70%. It was found that the career time of the expert had significant influence on the evaluation result (P < 0.05), which suggested that practice makes repeatability. Some panelists of different career type and education background concluded different results, but no statistical significance was found. Furthermore, four predominant organoleptic parameters, shape, color, texture and section characteristics, were selected based on statistics and panelists' discussion to judge the commercial specification of rhubarb. In conclusion, we firstly demonstrated the organoleptic evaluation is an objective and repeatable approach to judge the commercial specification of CMM; and we recommend Delphi method to do validation and standardization for the conventional experiences of traditional Chinese medicine.
