Research progress on identification and quality control analysis of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker.

Abstract

Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker is an important animal-derived medicinal material, yet the analytical evidence supporting its authentication and quality control has not been critically mapped across method classes. This scoping review, reported with reference to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), maps methods used for Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker, related or confounding materials, processed products, and exuviae, and distinguishes exploratory proof-of-concept studies from approaches with stronger validation. PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched for relevant publications from 1979 to 2025; 81 studies were included and synthesized. Macroscopic and micromorphological examinations can support rapid screening of intact materials but is operator-and specimen-dependent. Powder microscopy can reveal characteristic fragments but has limited discriminatory power. DNA barcoding, species-specific PCR, and SNP-based assays provide stronger evidence of species identity, while mitochondrial PCR-RFLP has been explored for sex determination. Chromatographic and mass spectrometric fingerprinting may support discrimination by sex, geographical origin, processing status, or product type, however, most reported assays lack external or interlaboratory validation. No eligible study established a validated authentication method specifically for Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker exuviae. Overall, no single method meets all identification and quality-control needs. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt a hierarchical workflow that integrates rapid morphological screening, targeted molecular confirmation, and physical and chemical characteristic analysis. On this basis, three priorities should be defined: multi-center verification of gender identification tests, rapid detection of processed products and adulterants, and development of orthogonal verification methods for exuviae.