Effects of Drying Temperature on the Saponin and Free Sugar Contents of Platycodon grandiflorum Radix

摘要

This study was conducted to provide basic information on the effects of drying temperatures (45, 65, and 85°C) on saponins and free sugar contents of a 5-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum Radix. Platycodin D levels decreased with increase in drying temperature (956, 334, and 197 mg% at 45, 65, and 85°C, respectively). Polygalacin D levels were the highest at 45°C (577 mg%), while platycodin Dj and deapioplatycodin D were high at 65“C (304 and 272 mg%, respectively). Sucrose levels were 3,825 mg% at 85°C and 1,226 mg% at 45°C, and decreased when the drying temperature was decreased. The sucrose content showed significant negative correlation with saponin levels in dried P. grandiflorum (-0.987, P<0.01). These results suggested that drying P. grandiflorum at low temperatures is more economically viable.