OBJECTIVETo establish fingerprint analysis method by HPLC for the quality control of Cichorium intybus and effective identification of C. intybus and C. glandulosum.

METHODThe software "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCMs" (Version 2004A) was employed to generate the mean chromatogram and carry out the similarity analysis of the samples. Cluster analysis was adopted in combination with principal component analysis to study seventeen chicory's characteristic common peaks and to differentiate the two chicory resources.

RESULTThe fingerprint of C. intybus and C. glandulosum has been set up, and the range of similarity for seventeen chicory samples was 0. 847-0. 988. The difference among chromatographic fingerprints of chicory samples between the two different varieties was identified by cluster analysis and principal component analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used to evaluate the quality of C. intybus and identify C. intybus and C. glandulosum conveniently.