ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the Maillard reaction products and anti-oxidant activity of dichloromethane extraction from Polygonati Rhizoma (PR) after processing. Methods: Three species of PR were prepared by different processing time according to the preparation process of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The colour changes of Maillard reaction characteristics during the processing of PR were detected by UV-Vis; The pH changes were detected by pH detector; GC-MS was used to analyze the change of Maillard reaction products (MRPs); DPPH radical scavenging activity was used as the evaluation index of anti-oxidant activity. Results: With the increase of processing time, the MRPs and Browning degree increased, the pH value decreased, and the anti-oxidant activity increased. After processing for 16 h, three species of PR had the same change, showing the characteristics of Maillard reaction. GC-MS analysis detected multiple characteristic MRPs, including 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran- 4-one and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of three species of PR were significantly increased after processing for 16 h. Conclusion: During the processing, PR have the characteristic products in Maillard reaction, and with the extension of processing time, the anti-oxidant activity increases regularly. These provide a basis for the material basic research of PR.