Abstract: As it seeks to screen suitable methods for reducing the heavy metal content in Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX),CX,the object of this study,which was treated by quicklime single or combined,has been studied on the contents of five heavy metals,the yield,and quality.Field experiments were carried out in CX's main producing areas,Pengzhou and Meishan.The samples were collected during the harvest time.The contents of five heavy metals were determined by microwave digestion-ICP-MS.The extracts and volatile oils were analyzed by the pharmacopeia method.The contents of six effective components were determined by HPLC and UPLC.The differences among each index were compared by multivariate statistical analysis.The results are as follows:T-1 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²),T-2 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²+ potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1.33 kg/hm²),and T-3 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²+ starch 6.67 kg/hm²) can significantly reduce the Cd content of CX.T-5 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²+ potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1.33 kg/hm²+ starch 6.67 kg/hm²) and T-6 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²+ potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1.33 kg/hm²+ sodium polyacrylate 10 kg/hm²+ activated carbon 10 kg/hm²) can significantly reduce the Pb content of CX.T-2 and T-6 can significantly reduce the As content of CX.In addition,T-2 can significantly increase the content of alcohol-soluble extract and ligustilide I.On the whole,the yield of CX increased by 0.93%-39.03% via quicklime single or combined treatments.Nevertheless,the contents of senkyunolide A,coniferyl ferulate in Pengzhou CX,and the contents of ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid in Meishan CX were reduced to different degrees.Both the sampling locality and quicklime treatment method influence each index drawn by correlation analysis and cluster analysis.Committed to improvement effects for the contents of five heavy metals,the yield and quality of CX,T-1 and T-2 can be used to reduce heavy metal contents in CX,which grow in Pengzhou or Meishan.T-3 can be used to reduce heavy metal contents in CX,which grow in Meishan.And T-4 (quicklime 6.67 kg/hm²+ sodium polyacrylate 10 kg/hm²) can be used to reduce heavy metal contents in CX,which grow in Pengzhou.In conclusion,the heavy metals content and yield of CX can be improved by quicklime single or combined treatment,which improving its safety,providing the theoretical basis and technical support for the high-quality and green production of CX.

Key words: Chuanxiong Rhizoma, quicklime, heavy metal, cadmium, quality, multivariate statistical analysis