Abstract: In order to optimize the process of sliced coptis fresh processing on origin, the effects of drying temperature before slicing, water content during slicing and drying temperature after slicing on water content, alkaloid content and processing loss were investigated by orthogonal test. In order to verify the stability of the process, 6 samples of sliced coptis were produced by the optimized process, and the stability of water content and alkaloid content was tested. The results showed that the main factors affecting the quality of sliced coptis were drying temperature after slicing and water content during slicing, while the secondary factor was drying temperature before slicing. The drying temperature before and after slicing significantly affected the moisture content of sliced coptis. The water content during slicing extremely significantly affected the processing loss of sliced coptis. The three factors had no significant effect on alkaloid content. The best process for the fresh processing on origin of sliced coptis was as follows： The fresh rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch. was dried at 60~80 ℃ until the water content was between 42% and 32%, and taken out to cut into slices. Then the slices were dried at 60 ℃ until the water content was below 12%. The content of water and alkaloid in sliced coptis produced by this process were stable and controllable and met the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Key words: sliced coptis, fresh processing on origin, water content, alkaloid content, processing losses, orthogonal test