Identification of Scale Micromorphology of Zaocys Dhumnades(Cantor) and Its Common Adulterants on the Market

OBJECTIVE To provide the basis for the identification of medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Zaocys dhumnades(Cantor) by identifying the scales of the head and body of Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor), Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor) and its common adulterants were distinguished. METHODS The scales of the head of Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor) and its adulterants were observed in 3-D with VHX-6000 digital imaging microscope, and the high-definition feature map was taken by combining depth-of-field synthesis technology with large-scale image stitching technology. The end fossa, thin film sac, papillary process and vertical texture of body scales were observed by optical microscope, and the characteristic images were taken by imaging system. Finally, the above results were verified by DNA barcode technology to ensure the accuracy and reliability of micro-morphological identification. RESULTS The variety of Zaocys dhumnades(Cantor) on the market was chaotic, mainly including the following fake products:Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus), Ptyas korros (Schlegel), Cerberus Rynchops (Colubridae), Elaphe Carinata(Cunther), Orthriophis taeniurus Cope and so on, which were different from the fake products previously reported. CONCLUSION Through micro-morphological identification, the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Zaocys dhumnades(Cantor) and its adulterants can be well distinguished, and the identification characteristics are stable and not easy to change.