OBJECTIVETo study comparatively the fingerprint of zhuang medicinal material-ant nest of Macrotermes annadalei from different areas in Guangxi.

METHODThe fingerprint of total amino acid of 12 lots of ant nest of M. annadalei from different areas was determined by high speed amino acid analyzer. Separation was perform on anylytical column (4.6 mm x 40 mm), column temperature at 57 degrees C. The flow rate of buffering solution was 0.4 mL x min(-1), and the flow rate of ninhydrin was 0.3 mL x min(-1).

RESULT18 characteristic peaks in the fingerprints were identified in 12 lots of samples, the chromatographic overlap rate was 89.4%-100.0%, and the total relative peak area of 7 lots of samples was over 52% in eight main peaks.

CONCLUSIONThe components of amino acid of ant nest of M. armadalei from different areas in Guangxi are very similar. The qualities of majority samples are good as well. The fingerprints can provide the useful information for the quality evaluation and the identification of ant nest of M. annadalei.

Amino Acids ; analysis ; Animals ; Ants ; China ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Powders ; Quality Control