Comparision of contents of anthraquinones and phenolic acids compounds in different processed products from Rheum officinale by principal component analysis

The aim of this study is to compare the contents of five types of anthraquinones which mainly includes chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, rhein and physcion and phenolic acids in ten different processed products from Rheum officinale, and to investigate the effect of different initial processing method on the contents of anthraquinones and phenolic acids. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Rh. officinale. In conclusion, the contents of anthraquinones in different processed products from Rh. officinale assume the certain regularity. Whether fresh-cut Rheum officinale Bail and how to dry it are derectly effect the contents of anthraquinones and phenolic compounds. The content of anthraquinones in rheum officinale of drying is obviously higher than smudging, and was more abundant in branch root than tap roots. Rh. officinale of drying which growed in Fengjie gained the highest score in PCA. Meanwhile, the procedure of wetting also help to increase the content of anthraquinones and decrease the content of phenolic acids.