The application of fingerprint infrared spectra and clustering analysis in the discrimination of geographical origin of Paeonia lactiflora Pall

Based on the fingerprint infrared spectrum of paeonia lactiflora Pall, paeonia lactiflora Pall samples from 18 areas were clustered into 6 classes with principal component analysis. This. result agrees with their geographical origins. The spectra of samples were similar with each other in the same class, which can he considered as the criterion of evaluating the pharmic quality of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. 45 geographical origins were predicted with radial basis function, and it was. demonstrated to be a powerful artiticial neural net ( ANN) method in discrimination. So a rapid, accurate, and operable method in the medicinal materials quality control was developed.