Constructing a “Four in One” fingerprint quality evaluation system of Cistanche Herba

[Display omitted] •The first construction of “Four in One” fingerprint system to evaluate Cistanche Herba quality.•The first comparison and analysis of two kinds of Cistanche Herba quality.•The first development and interpretation of 12 characteristic parameters of the DSC curve.•The first exploitation and establishment DSC quantum fingerprint of Cistanche Herba.•Assessing medicine and food homology quality with SQFM by integrating four technologies. Cistanche Herba, known as “Desert Ginseng”, is widely sought after as a medicine and food homology. Owing to the one-sided quality control of several markers, a comprehensive “Four in One” fingerprint quality evaluation system based on HPLC, UV, FTIR and DSC was developed to ensure safety and improve quality. Except for HPLC quantitative analysis of echinacoside (1.41–60.23 mg/g) and acteoside (0.13–14.71 mg/g), UV and FTIR spectral analyses, 12 characteristic parameters of the DSC curve were first developed. Particularly, HPLC fingerprints with UV, FTIR and DSC quantum fingerprints established by merging point method were integrated to evaluate the sample quality with systematically quantified fingerprint method. 45 samples (Cistanche deserticola: 26 batches, Cistanche tubulosa: 19 batches) were evaluated separately to retain their fingerprint characteristics, whose significant inter batch differences and grade differentiation were manifested. This study can provide a comprehensive, strict and objective evaluation strategy for Cistanche Herba and even other samples.