摘要

Infrared spectroscopy is well suited for the rapid and nondestructive identification and quantification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its high resolution, easy operation and strong specialization of absorbance bands. It is becoming an efficient methodology in the quality control of TCM. The present paper reviews the applications of infrared spectrometry in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of TCM, especially to the discrimination and effective content determination of traditional Chinese medicinal materials (including different parts of the same medicinal material, TCM from different geographical areas, easily confusing TCM, and true and false TCM) and Chinese patent medicine (such as TCM formula particles, injections, etc.). With the ceaseless rapid development and popularization of FTIR spectrometer and computer science, infrared spectrometry will greatly accelerate the process of TCM modernization and internationalization by all means.