Objective:To explore rapid identification method of Zhaxun and its substitutes and to develop quality assessment method of Zhaxun by near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) combined with statistical methods. Method:Zhaxun and its substitutes were divided into four grades according to traditional appearance quality classification

the content of fulvic acid in Zhaxun and its substitutes was determined

and its correlation with quality classification was analyzed.The qualitative relationship between quality classification and spectrum was explored by principal component analysis and NIRS.Partial least squares(PLS) was used to establish a quantitative model of NIRS

feasibility of a rapid assessment method for quality of Zhaxun and its substitute was investigated. Result:There was no clear correlation between fulvic acid content and quality classification of Zhaxun;the near infrared spectrum of grade Ⅳ(the substitutes) could be significantly separated from other grades

while the resolutions of near infrared spectrum of grade Ⅰ

Ⅱ and Ⅲ were not high

but it had a certain variation rules.The determination coefficient(R2) of NIRS model of fulvic acid content in Zhaxun was 80.13%

its root mean square error of cross validation(RMSECV) was 0.047

indicating this model had satisfactory predicted results.The R2

root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP) and relative percent deviation(RPD) of validation set were 11.91%

0.12 and 1.12

respectively;which indicated that the model robustness and resolution were not ideal. Conclusion:NIRS combined with principal component analysis can provide a reference for the rapid identification of Zhaxun and its substitutes.Fulvic acid content can not be used as a criterion for determining quality of Zhaxun.It is necessary to further explore the quality markers to evaluate the quality of Zhaxun.