Objective: To study on the chemical composition differences in different parts of the Cordyceps sinensis and their association with the quality by high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with metabonomics. Method: The chemical composition database of Chinese herbal medicines Cordyceps was established. The data on three parts of Cordyceps seats

heads and insect worms was collected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The results were imported into PeakView

and a qualitative analysis was made using such functions as formula finder

mass calculators

fragment matching and secondary fragmentation rules. All qualitative results were introduced in a known component screening table

then the ionic strength of each sample was extracted one by one and put into SIMCA-P 11.5 for visualization

so as to build the mathematical model of principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discrimination analysis(PLS-DA). Result: A total of 23 compounds in six categories were found from the alcohol extraction samples of Cordyceps

and 11 differentiated compounds were identified from Cordyceps militaris

head and body

mostly fatty acids and their derivatives

in which eight compounds were found in Cordyceps for the first time;the PCA and PLS-DA mathematical model were constructed using SIMCA-P software

the results showed significant differences between the stroma and the head and the body; by the strength of role on the classification

the order from high to low was amino acids

fatty acids

vitamins

alkaloids

nucleosides and glycosides. Conclusion: The established method provides a scientific reference for explaining the pharmacodynamics of C.sinensis and the mechanism of the quality of C.sinensis

and lays a foundation for the rapid identification

quality control and in-depth development and utilization for Cordyceps herbs.