Objective: To optimize the habitat processing methods of Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) by determining the contents of stilbene glycoside and anthraquinones in PMR processed by different methods. Method: The fresh PMR was cut into slices of 5 mm

10 mm and 12 mm

or cubes of 8 mm3 and 12 mm3

then dried in the sun or stoved at 60 ℃

70 ℃ or 80 ℃.The contents of stilbene glycoside and anthraquinones in the processed PMR were determined by UPLC for investigating the influences of different processing methods on the quality of PMR. Result: Linearity ranges of stilbene glycoside

emodin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside

physcion 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside

emodin and physcion were in 0.187 2-2.34

0.007 72-0.096 5

0.001 688-0.021 1

0.008 28-0.103 5

0.002 976-0.037 2 μg

The average recoveries of these five analytes were 99.99%

100.70%

98.22%

98.12% and 97.90% with RSDs of 1.7%

1.0%

1.8%

1.0% and 2.7%

respectively.The contents of analytes in different processed products of PMR presented a certain regularity.At the same drying temperature

the contents of analytes increased with the slices or cubes thickness increased.The contents of stilbene glycoside

emodin and physcion were the highest in PMR which was cut into 8 mm3 cubes dried at 80 ℃

the content of emodin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside was highest in PMR which was cut into 12 mm thick pieces dried at 80 ℃

and the content of physcion 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside was the highest in PMR which was cut into 10 mm thick pieces dried at sunlight. Conclusion: The contents of analytes are affected by the habitat processing methods

and cutting methods and specifications have greater influence on the contents of ingredients in PMR than the drying methods and drying temperatures.This paper provides the basis for the selection of habitat processing methods of PMR.