Objective: To establish a rapid analytical method for furan components before and after processing of Polygonatum rhizome by static headspace injection GC-MS.
Methods: The volatile components were extracted by headspace injection technique and analyzed by GC-MS, and the furan components of three species of Polygonatum rhizome before and after processing were determined by semi quantitative GC-MS.
Results: Three species of Polygonatum rhizome had significant differences in furan components contents, Polygonatum cyrtonema ≈ Polygonatum kingianum > Polygonatum sibiricum. Each species of Polygonatum rhizome had a corresponding increase in almost all of the nine kinds of furan components after processing, steamed products > stewed products.
Conclusion: This study provides a theoretical basis for further study of processing of Polygonatum rhizome.