Objective To evaluate the quality difference evaluation of Hedychium flavum from different origins based on multi-index content determination, using principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and CRITIC-TOPSIS methods, so as to provide a basis for further development and utilization. Methods HPLC was used with BetaMax Neutral C₁₈ column, acetonitrile -0.4%phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase with gradient elution, detection wavelength of 320, 230, 360 and 210 nm. A total of 17 batches of H. flavum from different origins were collected. The contents of 13 chemical constituents including protocatechuic acid, trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, coniferaldehyde, isocoronarin D, coronarin D, coronarin A, coronarin E, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, daucosterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol were detected, while extractives and total ash were examined. The 17 batches of H. flavum were grouped using PCA and PLS-DA methods, and quality differential markers were screened out. The weights of each index was calculated using the CRITIC method, and a comprehensive quality evaluation model for H. flavum was constructed using the TOPSIS method. Results The contents of the above 13 indexes among 17 batches of H. flavum were 0.121—0.295, 0.044—0.091, 0.036—0.104, 0.400—1.071, 0.300—0.515, 0.902—1.677, 0.089—0.153, 0.473—0.916, 0.177—0.378, 0.136—0.249, 0.068—0.117, 0.223—0.453, 0.240—0.863 mg/g, while the ranges of extractives and total ash were 11.4%—21.5% and 3.1%—9.2 %, respectively. PCA results showed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of two principal components was 87.564%, and 17 batches of H. flavum were divided into three categories. Kaempferol, coronarin A, protocatechuic acid, extractives, β-sitosterol, isocoronarin D and quercetin were selected as quality differential markers by PLS-DA methods. The results of CRITIC-TOPSIS method showed that the comprehensive relative proximities of 17 batches of H. flavum samples was 0.421 6—0.618 1. The quality of samples from Guizhou and Sichuan provinces exhibited superior comprehensive quality. Conclusion The established multi-index quantitative combined with PCA, PLS-DA and CRITIC-TOPSIS method can comprehensively evaluate the quality difference of H. flavum from different habitats. The method is scientific, intuitive, accurate and reliable, which can provide a theoretical and technical reference for the quality difference evaluation of H. flavum.

Hedychium flavum Roxb.  /  HPLC  /  PCA  /  PLS-DA  /  CRITIC-TOPSIS  /  quality difference evaluation  /  protocatechuic acid  /  trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid  /  coniferaldehyde  /  isocoronarin D  /  coronarin D  /  coronarin A  /  coronarin E  /  quercetin  /  kaempferol  /  isorhamnetin  /  daucosterol  /  stigmasterol  /  β-sitosterol