AUTHOR=Hu Yan , Yin Minzhen , Bai Yunjun , Chu Shanshan , Zhang Ling , Yang Mei , Zheng Xiaowen , Yang Zhengyang , Liu Junling , Li Lei , Huang Luqi , Peng Huasheng 

TITLE=An Evaluation of Traits, Nutritional, and Medicinal Component Quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and P. sibiricum Red.

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.891775

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.891775

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Polygonati rhizoma (<italic>Huangjing</italic> in Chinese) is a traditional and classic dual-purpose material used in food and medicine. Herbalists in China and Japan have noticed several different rhizome types in <italic>Huangjing</italic> with different qualities. Rhizome of <italic>Polygonatum cyrtonema</italic> Hua and <italic>P. sibiricum</italic> Red. is divided into five types: “<italic>Jitou</italic>-type” Polygonati rhizoma (JTPR), atypical “<italic>Jitou</italic>-type” Polygonati rhizoma (AJTPR), “<italic>Jiang</italic>-type” Polygonati rhizoma (JPR), “Cylinder-type” Polygonati rhizoma (CPR), and “<italic>Baiji</italic>-type” Polygonati rhizoma (BJPR). This study observed the microstructure and histochemical localization of polysaccharides, saponins, and proteins in <italic>Huangjing</italic>. Nutritional and medicinal component data and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS) were analyzed to evaluate the quality of different types of <italic>Huangjing</italic>. The results showed that the comprehensive quality of the rhizomes, BJPR and JTPR, was better, regardless of their nutritional or medicinal values. Altogether, these results could recommend future breeding efforts to produce <italic>Huangjing</italic> with improved nutritional and medicinal qualities.</p>