Objective: To study the dynamic change rules of fruit appearance and medicinal ingredients in Chaenomelis Fructus in different harvesting periods

and explore the optimal harvesting period of Chaenomelis Fructus. Method: The fruit appearance characteristics of Chaenomelis Fructus in different harvesting periods were studied

including the changes of fruit surface color

length

diameter and weight; the contents of chlorogenic acid

oleanolic acid

ursolic acid

tannin and total organic acid were determined by HPLC and UV

and principal component analysis (PCA) was used for comprehensive evaluation. Result: There were dynamic changes of fruit appearance characteristics and medicinal ingredients in Fructus Chaenomelis

and PCA results showed that the quality of samples collected in the end of August were better than others. Conclusion: Comprehensive analysis showed that the optimal harvesting period is mid-to-late August. At this time

the color of fruit surface was changing from green to yellow.The study results could provide certain scientific basis for harvesting and quality evaluation of Fructus Chaenomelis.