5. Development of standard operating procedures
5.1. Variety selecting and breeding
A great deal of work has been done on variety selection and stock farm construction for more than 10 species, such as ginseng (P. ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), milk vetch (Astragalus membranaceus), and magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis). The archive and bank of the germplasm of the above species have been established; their seeds have been purified and their suitable cultivating areas have been determined and delimited. The selected seeds with comprehensive or single superior performance have been summed up to 100 varieties, among which 20 super combinations have been formed, 40 super lines have been bred, 40 varieties have been put in controlled tests for herbal medicinal materials, and more than 10 varieties selected and tested [11]. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms has been done on the varieties of milk vetch, licorice, wild ginger, and thorowax from which the heritable differences among lines are identified, promoting the research on variety selection of medicinal herbs to the molecular level.
5.2. Research on the sustainable production model
To realize the protective development and sustainable use of the TCM resources, the province carried out research and development on nurturing wild TCM materials and regeneration of TCM material populations. The maximizing sustainable output model of the undergrowth resources in the forest ecological system has been established [11].
5.3. Development of chemical residue control technology
Research on the degradation of the three chemicals (mancozeb, phoxim, and carbendazim) in the soil and surface of TCM materials and kinetic response of the chemical residues has been carried out. According to the Recommended National Standards (GB/T, 2008), safe intervals for applying these chemicals have been determined.
5.4. Development of standard operating procedures
To assure that GAP is carried out successfully, standard operating procedures were laid down for different plants. A great deal of research work has been done on the photosynthetic physiology, hydrous physiology, and trophic physiology of TCM materials of 22 species such as ginseng. In combination with the research results with the productive practices in Jilin Province, the standard operating procedures for 32 species of TCM materials have been developed in the province.
6. Development of quality standard of TCM materials
6.1. Development of quality standards
The province has developed 10 quality standards for 10 species of TCM materials such as ginseng and American ginseng. Fingerprints of materials in common use are under development to ensure the TCM quality. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and near-infrared chromatography are used for the quality measuring and analysis to ensure the accuracy of quality assessment of TCM materials.
6.2. Research and application of fingerprints
The fingerprint authenticating standards for typical TCM materials have been developed based on the large amounts of data collected from fingerprints of TCM materials. Based on analysis of features and signature of fingerprints, the authenticity and origin of TCM materials can be determined; based on the design of the area and proportions of characteristic peaks of fingerprints, the quality of TCM materials can be well controlled.
7. Research on collection, processing, and preparation of TCM materials
7.1. Rational collection
Collecting time is greatly related to the quality of TCM materials. The province has determined suitable harvesting time for 22 species of TCM materials in common use based on the research and analysis on accumulated dynamic state of their active ingredients[12,13].
7.2. Research on processing techniques
Microwave technology, freeze-drying technology, air-limited storage technology, and ultramicro grinding technology are applied in the processing of TCM materials, which leads to upgrading of traditional technique and developing new products. Macroporous resin technology, membrane separation process, supercritical extraction technology, and ultramicro grinding technology are applied into the extraction of active ingredients of TCM, which leads to high purity and top quality extraction [14,15]. 中药材实施GAP英文文献和中文翻译(3):http://www.751com.cn/fanyi/lunwen_33851.html