Quality evaluation of different varieties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. peels based on phenolic profiles, bioactivity, and HPLC fingerprint

Abstract This work aims to evaluate the quality of seven varieties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum peels based on phenolic compounds, bioactivity, and HPLC fingerprint combined with chemometrics analysis, and pick out the key chemical compounds. As a result, S2 (Fengxian Dahongpao) showed the highest content of total phenolic and rutin, as well as the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by S6 (Hancheng Shizitou). From HPLC fingerprint, eight common characteristic peaks were selected and proved to be effective in controlling the quality of Z. bungeanum peels with the total contribution of 92.775%. The similarity values of each sample ranged between 0.696 and 0.970. In addition, hyperoside was identified as another key chemical indicator for quality evaluation of Z. bungeanum peels by PCA. Accordingly, seven varieties of Z. bungeanum were classified into four groups, among which group 4 (Fengxian Dahongpao, S2) was considered as an outstanding variety, followed by group 1 (S5, S6, and S7) and group 3 (S3 and S4), and group 2 (Fugu late‐maturing, S1) was the last one. These results will be helpful to establish an effective and comprehensive evaluation system of Z. bungeanum . Practical Application This study not only provides another index for quality evaluation of Z. bungeanum peels, but it also expects to be a theoretical basis for high‐quality germplasm cultivation and the development of Z. bungeanum peels as food additives, pharmaceutical, or health care products.