Tissue age, season, and postharvest drying method affect camptothecin concentration.

摘要

Plantations of Camptotheca acuminata were established from 1993 at the Citrus Research Station and Iberia Research Station, Louisiana. Camptothecin concentration was studied in relation to leaf, branch and tree age, season, and drying method. Concentration was greatest in the youngest leaves, current-year branches and the youngest trees, and declined linearly as the season progressed from April to October. Freeze drying was better than oven- and air-drying for preserving camptothecin concentration.