The identification of wild ginseng has long posed challenges for the standardization and regulation of the industry. Recently, Chunchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced a significant development: a smart grading and identification system for wild ginseng has achieved promising results, enabling the intelligent assessment of the ginseng’s age, grade, and specifications.
The wild ginseng smart grading and identification system employs hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology alongside intelligent machine learning algorithms to gather data on ginseng characteristic spectra. By adhering to national standards and integrating the “Five Forms and Six Bodies” criteria, the system identifies sensitive regions of spectral variation (ROI) and the associated surface characteristics that contribute to these differences. This intelligent approach allows for the selection of predictive models and the establishment of an identification method that facilitates objective and non-destructive evaluation of wild ginseng.
Led by Chunchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this research initiative collaborates with eight other institutions, including the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics. The project team has conducted sample collection in key production areas of Jilin Province, such as Tonghua, Baishan, and Yanbian. They have successfully built a sample database containing data from 13,084 wild ginseng samples, created two additional databases, developed a prototype machine, designed operation identification software, and formulated implementation guidelines for the wild ginseng smart identification system. This has culminated in a reliable method for assessing the age, grade, and specifications of wild ginseng, with results that can be validated and certified.
According to Chen Changbao, the project lead and vice president of Chunchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the team will focus on refining version 1.0 of the system by the end of the year and simultaneously prepare for the development of version 2.0 and a mobile app.
Over the past decade, Chunchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has undertaken a total of 325 research projects related to ginseng science, with a cumulative funding amounting to 166 million RMB. Among these efforts, they lead one national key research and development project, 33 national natural science fund projects, and 113 provincial and ministerial projects. In the last three years, the university has published the highest number of Chinese papers on ginseng research domestically and ranked first internationally in the number of SCI papers. Additionally, they have secured 31 patents related to ginseng, including 15 invention patents.
