目的 肉桂为樟科植物肉桂Cinnamomum cassia Presl的干燥树皮,也是一种重要的香料及药材的植物来源.本研究通过优化薄层色谱条件来快速准确鉴定肉桂及其商品.方法 所用的标识物包括苯丙醇乙酸酯、桂皮醇乙酸酯、桂皮醛、桂皮醇、香豆素及桂皮酸六种化学物.结果 肉桂及其变种大叶清化桂C. cassia Presl var. macrophyllum Chu之图谱相似,但与其余六种樟科植物差异很大,而高规格商品肉桂的苯丙醇乙酸酯、桂皮醛及香豆素的含量较高.结论 本研究利用优化的薄层色谱分析法和六种肉桂的化学物,成功分辨肉桂和它的代用品及伪品.研究也指出高规格商品肉桂的化学特征.“,”Aim To differentiate the genuine cassia bark from its substitutes and adulterants. Methods Six components, phenylpropyl acetate, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol, coumarin, and cinnamic acid were used as characteristic markers, and an optimized TLC method was developed. Results The TLC profile of cassia bark is similar to its closely related variety Cinnamomum cassia Presl var. macrophyllum Chu but significantly different from other six Cinnamomum species. High content of phenylpropyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, and coumarin was found in superior commercial grade debarked cortex. Conclusion The developed TLC method can be used to differentiate the genuine cassia bark from its substitutes and adulterants.