Objective: To study the effect of Bistortae Rhizoma from different production places and colors on growth metabolism of Escherichia coli

and investigate its inhibitory effect on E. coli from the standpoint of biological thermodynamics. Method: The thermal spectrum curve reflecting the growth and metabolism of E. coli affected by 18 batches of Bistortae Rhizoma was determined by using microcalorimetry. Then the quantitative thermokinetic parameters

such as peak time(t1

t2)

maximum heat-output(Pmax1

Pmax2)

growth rate constant(k1

k2)

and inhibition rate(I) obtained from these curves were analyzed. Result: Bistortae Rhizoma from Hebei

Shandong and Anhui could prolong the peak time of E. coli in the second growth exponential period (t2)

and reduce the maximum thermal power (Pmax2) and growth rate (k2)

different from the samples from Hubei. All samples from four production places had no influence on the parameters (t1

Pmax1

and k1) in first growth exponential period. Bistortae Rhizoma from different production places showed different I values on E. coli

between 20%-50% for the samples from Hebei

Shandong and Anhui

while the I value was lower for the samples from Hubei. The Bistortae Rhizoma samples from the same batch but with different colors also showed difference in inhibitory rate. A total of 7 batches of brownish red Bistortae Rhizoma showed higher inhibition rate (I) than its prunosus ones in all 9 batches. Conclusion: The Bistortae Rhizoma from different places and colors have different degrees of inhibitory effect on the growth and metabolism of E. coli

and the factors leading to the difference still need further study.