Quality Analysis and Comparison of Pharmacological Active Components of Yams in Different Areas of Northeast China

PurposeTo analyze the nutritional quality and pharmacological active components of yams in different areas of Northeast China

MethodThe ash content and water content of the yams from Qiqihar area of Heilongjiang Province, Changchun area of Jilin Province and Shenyang area of Liaoning Province were determined by burning method and atmospheric drying method; trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry; the contents of nutrients were determined according to the national standards; the content of allantoin was determined by HPLC; the content of diosgenin and total polyphenols was determined by spectrophotometry; the active polysaccharide was extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation process, and the content was calculated.

ResultThe water and ash contents of yams from Shenyang was the lowest, and compared with Changchun and Qiqihar, the difference was significant (P<0.05); the nutritional quality and the content of pharmacological active components of yams produced in Shenyang were the best. The average contents of total soluble sugar and protein in yam from Shenyang and Changchun was significantly higher than that in Qiqihar (P<0.05). The average content of total amino acids in yam from Shenyang was significantly higher than that in Qiqihar (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between Shenyang and Changchun. The starch and crude fat contents in Shenyang area > Changchun area > Qiqihar area, but the differences are not significant. The contents of active polysaccharide, allantoin, total polyphenols and dioscin in yam from Shenyang were significantly higher than those in Changchun and Qiqihar (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the content of Fe in the three regions. The average content of Mn in yam in Shenyang was significantly higher than that in Qiqihar and Changchun (P<0.05), and the Pb content was significantly higher in Changchun and Shenyang than in Qiqihar (P<0.05).

ConclusionThe highest nutritional quality and medical and health functions of yams produced in Shenyang are found in the three areas of Northeast China, which can provide theoretical reference for the development and utilization of yams in the alpine areas of Northeast China.