A new method for process analysis of the production of herbal medicine, which is based on fiber optic near infrared transmission spectroscopy (NIRTS) is developed. The purification process of Coptis chinensis extracts with nonionic macroreticular resin was selected as an example. HPLC was used to determine the concentrations of some alkaloids for reference. Four calibration models were then developed to correlate NIRTS spectra with the concentration values of the alkaloids determined by HPLC using PLS algorithm. The models were applied to successfully predict the elution curves of the alkaloids on macroreticular resin. The results showed that the concentrations of Jatrorrhizine, Palmatine, Berberine and total alkaloid in elutes can be accurately detemiined by NIRTS simultaneously. The new method is fast and real time, providing a new tool for quality control of Chinese herbal medicine products.

Key words: CHINESE DRUG, MACROPOROUS RESINS, ADSORPTION RESINS, COPTIS CHINENSIS, BERBERINE, Palmatine, Berberine, ALKALOID