Amino Acids Composition and Mineral Elements Analysis of Paeonia ludlowii Flowers in Tibet

Purpose It was aimed to develop the of resources Paeonia ludlowii and study the amino acids composition and mineral element contents in flowers.Method Flowers of 4 populations (Caimi, Zhagonggou, Bangzhong and Xuekagou) were used, their amino acids were analyzed by automatic amino acid analyzer, the nutritional values were evaluated by amino acid ratio coefficient, and the contents of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Se, Cd and Pb were determined.Results Four populations all contained 17 amino acids (including 7 essential amino acids) and the above mineral elements. The total contents of amino acids in flower were 94.36-128.97 g/kg, and total content in Zhagonggou population was significantly higher than those in other three populations (P<0.05), and the contents of K,Ca,Mg,Mn,Fe,Cu and B were also at a higher level among 4 populations. The essential amino acids accounted for 32.47%-35.08%, which was close to the WHO/FAO recommended model. In addition, the medicinal amino acids accounted for 63.69%-65.62%, and the umami tasty amino acids accounted for 27.77%-30.09%. The scores of ratio coefficient in 4 populations were 67.21, 67.15, 66.85 and 66.61, with methionine and cysteine were the first limiting amino acids.The contents of Cd and Pb corresponded to relevant standards.Conclusion The flowers of P. ludlowii have higher nutrition and utilization value.