OBJECTIVEVarious treatments were used in packaging and storing dry and fresh Radix Astragali in order to explore an economically practical storage method.

METHODThe experiment was designed in single-factor completely random as compared with the traditional stacking without package in which the character, quality, polysaccharide and extract contents were measured.

RESULTIf stored for long-term use, the Radix Astragali should be packaged with vacuum-exhausted bags after cleaning by water and dried, which resulted in less weight loss, higher extract and polysaccharide. However, if stored for fresh use, the fresh Radix Astragali should be packaged in vacuum-exhausted bags after cleaning by sorghum alcohol and stored under low temperatures if possible, which resulted in less loss and longer fresh time. Considering polysaccharide and extract content, it is better to use dried the Radix Astragali in storage.

CONCLUSIONBefore packaged in vacuum-exhausted bags, the dry Radix Astragali should be cleaned by water for long-term use and cleaned by sorghum alcohol for fresh use under low temperatures if possible.