Studies On The Origin Processing And Industrial Production Technology Of Paeonia Lactiflora In Bozhou

Objective The purpose of this research is to establish standardized origin processing technology, standardized pieces specifications and standardized pieces quality indicators of Paeonia lactiflora in Bozhou, based on systematic research on its origin processing methods; at the same time, to evaluate the direct processing technology of fresh-Pieces and explore large scale industrial production processing technology for Paeonia lactiflora. Our studies are intended to improve and standardize the internal quality of medicine Pieces, which, therefore, is appropriate for large-scale industrialized production. We also aim at effectively resolving the problem of sulfur fumigating and loss of active component, as well as reducing the manpower, material and energy consumption during the origin processing of traditional medicine.Methods1. Orthogonal design and uniform design was used to optimize the best extraction and preparation technology for Total Glucosides of Paeony ; orthogonal design was used to optimize decocting.process parameters of Paeonia Lactiflora.2. TLC was used in the identification of the Paeonia Lactiflora paeoniflorin. Determination of paeoniflorin and TGP in Paeonia Lactiflora was performed using HPLC method.3. Based on research of origin processing technology of Paeonia Lactiflora, and concern of facility reality of production plants, the industrial production technology for Paeonia Lactiflora was explored, which will provide some basis for promoting standardization and industrialization of origin processing technology.Results1. Two steps including peeling and decocting should be preserved during the origin process of Paeonia Lactiflora, based on the research on the traditional processing method, related literature, drug habits and other factors, as well as the experimental results that nearly no difference was found in the content of paeoniflorin between decocted samples and undecocted samples. The optimized procedure and parameters for decocting process of Paeonia Lactiflora is, to put the raw material into eight times the water at 90℃, take them out after boiling for 10 minutes (water temperature is controlled at 85-90℃), then put them into the cold water, scrape the skin and dry.2. No significant appearance difference was found between the steamed piece and decocted piece. The content of water-soluble extract and paeoniflorin in these two pieces were also the same. Because steaming processing is more easily controlled in actual production process, it was proposed that steaming processing is an alternative way to replace decocting peeled process technology, or both can be used during the origin processing of Paeonia lactiflora. The optimized steaming process contain the following steps, first put the raw material in a steaming containers and heat to form round gas, take them out after steamed for 10 min and put into the cold water, then scrape skin and dry.3. Compared with the traditional slicing technique, the origin fresh-cut process for Paeonia lactiflora was optimized, that is, to peel after steam heat or decoction of fresh drug, then dry them to reach to the water content of 28%-32%. Cut the drug into 1.5-2 mm pieces and dry. On the basis of laboratory parameters of drying process and the actual production, low-temperature drying (60℃) approach is benefit for large-scale origin processing of Paeonia lactiflora. In addition, according to the market and export requirement, fresh-cut system can also be used for origin processing of Paeonia lactiflora. That is, the peeled fresh drug was put into conventional or low-temperature drying house(temperature is controlled at 60℃), and baked 9 h to nearly dry (water content 28% -32%). The drug was moistened, kept for 4-5h then cut into piece and dried at 60℃. The apperance of pieces made by this way looks beautiful, with obvious powder on the surface of pieces, and with no significant difference on the content of paeoniflorin, compared with pieces from other origin.4. The contents of paeoniflorin in market-drug and pieces are commonly lower than the standards in Pharmacopoeia, which may be related with softening and sulfur fuming process. It was proposed in this study that the softening time should not exceed 24 h, and sulfur fuming step should be deleted during the origin process of Paeonia lactiflora, since it will significantly reduce the content of paeoniflorin and water-soluble.5. It was found that using sand or moist soil to store the fresh drug was superior to the common storage method, based on the research on the method of fresh drug storage and its stability. Using kraft paper for pieces package is feasible, but the storage time at room temperature should not exceed 3-4 months. It was proposed that composite film package is also suitable for preserving Paeonia Lactiflora Pieces , which can extend the storage time.ConclusionOptimized origin fresh processing technology for Paeonia lactiflora is reasonable and practicable.The large-scale, industrial production technology, formed based on the research on the origin processing technology, can improve the quality of traditional drug and pieces. This technology will promote the standardization of traditional Chinese medicine Pieces, embodying a certain social value and economic value,The establishment of quality evaluation system in this study can be used effectively for the qulaity control of Paeonia lactiflora drugs and Pieces.