Objective: To provide quality basis for the Panax notoginseng powder processed from different parts. Method: Sensory

colorimetric method

microscopic

physical and chemical

and content determination methods were used in this study. Result: The P. notoginseng powder processed from different medicinal parts showed significant difference in appearance color

microscopic characteristics

ash content and content determination

sensory and microscopic characteristics can't be used to distinguish the P. notoginseng commodity specifications. Color can be used to distinguish the powder made of main root

notch and tendons

as the powder made of the main root showed the most shallow color

which was yellow and white

while the powder made of notch and tendons showed slightly deeper color

which was brownish yellow and light brown. The results were consistent with colorimeter observations based on SPSS analysis

which showed that cut the color was deepest in notch

followed by tendons

and the main root had the most shallow color. Microscopic features can be used to distinguish the powder made of notch and the main root

the tendons. The powder made of notch showed fibers

which were not detected in the main root and the tendons; clustered crystal was not detected in main root

but appeared in the notch; the ash content was all qualified in main root

but some were not qualified in notch and tendons; acid insoluble ash content was all qualified. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1

ginsenoside Rb1 and notoginsenoside R1 in different parts of P. notoginseng were significantly different. Conclusion: The color difference

microscopic characters

ash content

and ginsenoside Rg1

ginsenoside Rb1 and notoginsenoside R1 contents can provide quality basis for Panax notoginseng powder.