The total volatile components were extracted from safflower by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction (USE) and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) to provide scientific basis for the quality control of safflower.Five different solvents (diethyl ether,ethanol,ethyl acetate,dichloromethane and acetone) were used and compared in terms of number of volatile components extracted and the peak areas of these components in TIC.The results showed that USE could be used as an efficient and rapid method for extracting the volatile components from safflower.It also could be found that the number of components in the TIC of ethyl acetate extract was more than that in the TIC of other solvent ones.Meanwhile,the volatile components of safflower from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China were different in chemical components and relative contents.It could be concluded that both the extraction solvents and geographical origin of safflower are responsible for these differences.The experimental results also indicated that USE/GC-MS is a simple,rapid and effective method to analyze the volatile oil components of safflower.

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed to determine 19 elements in safflower,a traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China.Totally 19 elements in safflower included heavy metals,i.e.As,Cd,Cu,Hg and Pb,and wholesome elements,i.e.AI,Ca,Co,Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn,Mo,Ni,P,Se,Sr,V and Zn.The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in safflower samples were both low,all of which met the national hygiene standards except for Pb in Xinjiang sample.Meanwhile,the distribution tendency of elements in the two samples was similar,which indicated that the plant might absorb given elements in a proportional way.The method can be used for the quality control of elements in safflower,and it provides a way for the determination of the contents of safflower from Xinjiang and Henan.

The total volatile components were extracted from safflower by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction （USE） and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry （GC-MS） to provide scientific basis for the quality control of safflower. Five different solvents （diethyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and acetone） were used and compared in terms of number of volatile components extracted and the peak areas of these components in TIC. The results showed that USE could be used as an efficient and rapid method for extracting the volatile components from safflower. It also could be found that the number of components in the TIC of ethyl acetate extract was more than that in the TIC of other solvent ones. Meanwhile, the volatile components of safflower from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China were different in chemical components and relative contents. It could be concluded that both the extraction solvents and geographical origin of safflower are responsible for these differences. The experimental results also indicated that USE/GC-MS is a simple, rapid and effective method to analyze the volatile oil components of safflower.

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry （ICP-AES） was developed to determine 19 elements in safflower, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China. Totally 19 elements in safflower included heavy metals, i.e. As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, and wholesome elements, i.e. Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se, Sr, V and Zn. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in safflower samples were both low, all of which met the national hygiene standards except for Pb in Xinjiang sample. Meanwhile, the distribution tendency of elements in the two samples was similar, which indicated that the plant might absorb given elements in a proportional way. The method can be used for the quality control of elements in safflower, and it provides a way for the determination of the contents of safflower from Xinjiang and Henan.