OBJECTIVE: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma has five types of products, namely, raw rhubarb (RR), wine rhubarb (WR), vinegar rhubarb (VR), cooked rhubarb (CR), and rhubarb charcoal (RC). However, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is easily contaminated with fungi and mycotoxins if not harvested or processed properly. Here, we intend to analyze how microbiome assemblies and co-occurrence patterns are influenced by sampling locations and processing methods. METHODS: High-throughput sequencing and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were carried out to study the diversities (α- and β-diversity), composition (dominant taxa and potential biomarkers), and network complexitity of surface fungi on RR, WR, VR, CR, and RC collected from Gansu and Sichuan provinces, China. RESULTS: The phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota; the genera Kazachstania, Malassezia, and Asterotremella; and the species Kazachstania exigua, Asterotremella pseudolonga, and Malassezia restricta were the dominant fungi and exhibited differences in the two provinces and the five processed products. The α-diversity and network complexity were strongly dependent on processing methods. Chao 1, the Shannon index, and network complexity and connectivity were highest in the CR group. The α-diversity and network complexity were influenced by sampling locations. Chao 1 and network complexity and connectivity were highest in the Gansu Province. CONCLUSION The assembly and network of the surface microbiome on Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were shaped by processing methods and sampling locations. This paper offers a comprehensive understanding of microorganisms, which can provide early warning for potential mycotoxins and ensure the safety of drugs and consumers.

OBJECTIVE: The investigation of the correlation between ecological factors and the genetic characteristics or metabolites of plants offers valuable insights into the regional causes of genetic and metabolic diversity. Here, Gastrodia elata, a medicinal plant, is employed as a model to explore the environmental factors that influence its genetic characteristics and metabolic accumulations. METHODS: A total of 23 G. elata populations from six cultispecies and 11 cultivated regions were selected based on the predictions of the global geographic information system. The genetic characteristics of these populations were evaluated using highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. Additionally, the metabolic accumulations and antioxidant capacity of mature tubers were measured employing colorimetry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ecological data of each region were obtained from the WorldClim-global climate database and harmonized world soil database. To assess the influence of ecological factors on the genetic characteristics and metabolic profiles of G. elata, Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Genetic variation among G. elata populations exceeded that within populations. Genetic diverisity, distance and structure manifested regional and species-specific patterns. Metabolic profiling and antioxidant capacity exhibited regional variations. Notably, the Lueyang region demonstrated that a content range of total polysaccharide, total protein, and phenolic glycosides was 9.34%-189.67% higher than the average. Similarly, in the Hubei region, total phenolic content, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol content, and antioxidant indicators were observed to be higher than the average levels, by 106.57%, 136.47% and 12.50%-91.14%, respectively. Furthermore, ecological factors had a significant comprehensive impact on G. elata genetic characteristics (r > 0.256 and P < 0.05). Multivariate metabolite accumulations in G. elata were influenced by dominant ecological factors. Temperature notably impacted the accumulation of total protein (|r| > 0.528 and P < 0.05). Moisture, encompassing precipitation and soil content, significantly affected the production of phenolic glycosides (|r| > 0.503 and P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The genetic characteristics of G. elata manifested regional and species-specific patterns, with the metabolic accumulations and antioxidant capacity of mature tubers exhibited regional variations. Specifically, multivariate ecological factors comprehensively influenced genetic characteristics. Temperature and moisture played pivotal roles in regulating the accumulations of proteins and phenolic glycosides, respectively. These findings underscore the significant impact of ecological factors on the shaping of G. elata, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing the quality of Chinese medicinal materials.

OBJECTIVE To establish the method for monitoring the dynamic changes of odor components in Cornus officinalis during processing . METHODS The decoction pieces of C. officinalis with different processing time were prepared by the wine steaming method . The dynamic changes of odor components were obtained by using ultra -fast gas electronic nose ；odor components were identified by comparing with AroChemBase database ；the dynamic changes of odor compounds were analyzed in combination with peak area ，and the chemical pattern recognition analysis were carried out . RESULTS A total of 12 common peaks of odor components were identified in the fingerprints of raw C. officinalis，and 21 in the fingerprints of decoction pieces of C. officinalis. Eight odor components with the high proportion of peak area during processing were ethanol ， isopropyl alcohol ， 2- methylpropylaldehyde，ethyl acetate ，2-methylbutanal，isoamyl alcohol ，2-hexanol and furfural ，among which ，the peak areas of ethanol，isoamyl alcohol and 2-hexanol showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing ；at 24 h of processing ，their peak areas were still higher than those of raw products . The peak areas of ethyl acetate ，2-methylbutanal and furfural nearly increased with the increase of processing time . Variable importance in projection of above eight odor components were all greater than 1. CONCLUSIONS The method is established for monitoring the dynamic changes of odor components of C. officinalis during processing. Eight odor components such as ethanol can be used as monitoring indicators of C. officinalis dring processing .

The problems of non-standard use of pesticides, and excessive pesticide residues and excessive heavy metal, etc. are common in the productive process of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and they are the factors restricting the sustainable development of safflower industry. Pollution-free production is an effective measure to ensure high quality of safflower. This paper summarized the environment of production area, selection of improved varieties for the production in the local places and its characteristics, the standardized comprehensive agronomic management and pollution-free rational fertilization technology. Additionally, the pollution-free control of safflower pests and diseases should follow the principle of priority to prevention and comprehensive prevention. Agricultural, biological and physical control should be preferred to use, and be combined with safe and low toxicity of chemical control. The standardization and industrialization of safflower production were realized by the construction of a comprehensive control technology system of pests and diseases of pollution-free safflower, which promoted the healthy development of the safflower plantation industry and achieved pollution-free standards.

Panax notoginseng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb in China. Due to its widespread pharmacology and significant clinical effect, the demand of Panax notoginseng is increasing surprisingly. Saponins are effective components in Radix Notoginseng. It has the effect of stopping bleeding and dispelling blood stasis. The content of saponins is affected by the factors such as location, variety and origin. This paper mainly introduced the notoginsenoside in different parts, the factors (origin and varieties) affecting the contents of notoginsenoside. A standard and pollution-free cultivation system of Panax notoginseng was established to help to cultivate the high-yield, high-quality and pollution-free P.notoginseng, which can provide the basis for choosing reasonable administration parts and provide the references for the development and utilization of Panax notoginseng.

is famous for its important therapeutic effects. Saponins are bioactive compounds found in different parts and developmental stages of plants. Thus, it is urgently to study saponins distribution in different parts and growth ages of plants. In this study, potential biomarkers were found, and their chemical characteristic differences were revealed through metabolomic analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography data indicated the higher content of saponins (, Rg1, Re, Rd, and Rb1) in the underground parts than that in the aerial parts. 20()-Protopanaxadiol saponins were mainly distributed in the aerial parts. Additionally, the total saponin content in the 3-year-old plant (188.0 mg/g) was 1.4-fold higher than that in 2-year-old plant (130.5 mg/g). The transcriptomic analysis indicated the tissue-specific transcription expression of genes, namely, , , , , and , which encoded critical synthases in saponin biosyntheses. These genes showed similar expression patterns among the parts of plants. The expression levels of these genes in the flowers and leaves were 5.2fold higher than that in the roots and fibrils. These results suggested that saponins might be actively synthesized in the aerial parts and transformed to the underground parts. This study provides insights into the chemical and genetic characteristics of to facilitate the synthesis of its secondary metabolites and a scientific basis for appropriate collection and rational use of this plant.

The cultivation of plants is hindered by replanting problems, which may be caused by plant-driven changes in the soil microbial community. Inoculation with microbial antagonists may efficiently alleviate replanting issues. Through high-throughput sequencing, this study revealed that bacterial diversity decreased, whereas fungal diversity increased, in the rhizosphere soils of adult ginseng plants at the root growth stage under different ages. Few microbial community, such as , Cytophagaceae, , , Sphingomonadaceae, and Zygomycota, were observed; the relative abundance of microorganisms, namely, , Enterobacteriaceae, , Cantharellales, , , and Chytridiomycota, increased in the soils of adult ginseng plants compared with those in the soils of 2-year-old seedlings. 50-1, a microbial antagonist against the pathogenic , was isolated through a dual culture technique. These bacteria acted with a biocontrol efficacy of 67.8%. The ginseng death rate and abundance decreased by 63.3% and 46.1%, respectively, after inoculation with 50-1. Data revealed that microecological degradation could result from ginseng-driven changes in rhizospheric microbial communities; these changes are associated with the different ages and developmental stages of ginseng plants. Biocontrol using microbial antagonists alleviated the replanting problem.

Research teams work together to solve the technical bottleneck in the Panax notoginseng industry.These research directions mainly focus on breeding of new variety,alleviating the continuous cropping obstacles,building standard system and so on.We used methods such as biotechnology,information technology and so on,to realize digitization,network and intellectualization in the process of selection of producing areas,field management,harvest storage,solved key issues of the precise selection of producing areas,variety breeding,soil improvement,fertilization management,and realized the precision and optimization of ginseng cultivation.We built the composite technology system of pollution-free notoginseng.This technology system mainly contained the breeding of new cultivar,the composite technology of soil improvement,the cultivation system of pollution-free notoginseng and quality traceability system.A new disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng was bred,which offered feasibility for the notoginseng continuous cropping.We first presented composite improvement technology of notoginseng continuous cropping soil.This improvement technology has been used in the field.This technology system of soil restoration and improvement guaranteed notoginseng continuous cropping.A first standard system of pollution-free notoginseng was issued.It established standard of high-quality notoginseng materials.Finally,quality traceability system of notoginseng was finished,which safeguarded the controllable quality.This composite technology system offers references for the cultivation of other Chinese herbal medicines.

The occurrence of Panax notoginseng diseases seriously constrains its economic yield,which has becoming one of the main factors that hinders the development of P.notoginseng.For the sustainable development of P.notoginseng industry,this study summarized the pathogens,incidence conditions,transmissions and control methods of main P.notoginseng diseases.This paper elaborated that the prevention of major P.notoginseng diseases should be a comprehensive strategy based on agricultural,chemical and biological control.The disease prevention-control system of focusing on prevention and comprehensive management should be established.The breeding of new varieties should be strengthened to improve the disease resistance and to promote the sustainable development of P.notoginseng industry.

Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen contains saponins,polysaccharides,flavonoids,alkyne,alcohol and other physiological active substances.Among notoginseng,saponins and decichine are the main effective components.Their pharmacological actions mainly include hemostasis,activating blood,blood tonic,anti-thrombus,protecting myocardium and various pharmacological actions.Notoginseng has been widely used in the treatment of clinical diseases.This paper was aimed to review the application status of notoginseng based on previous studies from both at home and abroad.It summarized main active ingredients of notoginseng saponins and polysaccharides;compared extraction process of notoginseng saponins and polysaccharides,respectively;outlined active ingredients of notoginseng in antiinflammatory,anti-tumor,immune strengthening,activating blood to remove stasis and other aspects of pharmacological effects.Additionally,we provided multiple researches,such as strengthening research of notoginseng polysaccharides,optimizing extraction process of notoginseng active substances,and improving compatibility system of notoginseng saponins and other medicinal components,in order to promote a comprehensive exploitation of notoginseng.