This study is aimed to address the main deficiencies in the quality standard of Citri Grandis Exocarpium (CGE) in current Chinese Pharmacopoeia

including the confusion of the plant origins and the inconsistency between the actual and the specified medicinal parts. Based on large amounts of historical evolution studies

market researches and testing results

several suggestions were proposed as follows: Citrus grandis‘Tomentosa’ (CGT) was the original plant source of CGE while  (L.) Osbeck (CGO) was used as a substitute when shortage of CGT resources. However

there were great differences between the chemical compositions and contents of CGT and CGO

and thus it is necessary to make them distinguished. We suggested that CGT should be used as the only plant origin of CGE. Meanwhile

the medicinal parts of CGE gradually transformed from the epicarp to immature fruit during the practical process

the immature fruit had the same chemical compositions with epicarp and higher contents of the active components. So we suggested supplementing the medicinal parts of CGE with immature fruit. Furthermore

we established the grade standard of CGE

which could be applied to distinguish the plant origins and evaluate the quality grades. In conclusion

this study provides suggestions for the improvement of the quality standard of CGE

which is of great significance for standardizing its marketing activities

promoting the rational use of plant resources and accelerating CGE into the international market.