Purpose: To develop an effective analytical method to distinguish old peels of Xinhui Pericarpium citri reticulatae (XPCR) stored for > 3 years from new peels stored for < 3 years.
Methods: Artificial neural networks (ANN) models, including general regression neural network (GRNN) and multi-layer feedforward neural network (MLFN), were used to analyze the Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometer -Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (GC-MS-AMDIS) data of the essential oils of the XPCR. The Root Mean Square (RMS) errors of each ANN