Qualities of Whitmania pigra in different-month-age and best harvest time / 中国中药杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Dynamic changes of quality and growth of Whitmania pigra were investigated to provide theoretical basis for quality control and determination of optimal harvest time.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The contents of moisture, ethanol-soluble extractive, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash, as well as antithrombin activity were determined according to Chinese pharmacopoeia (2005 edition).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Qualities of W. pigra collected from different growth stages met the standards of Chinese pharmacopoeia (2005 edition). The highest amount of ethanol-soluble extract was found in 9-month-old, W. pigra, followed by 6-month-aged ones. And there was significant difference between 9-month-old and 4-month-old, 7 month-old and 11 month-old (P < 0.05). The highest antithrombin activity was detected in 6 month-old W. pigra, followed by 10 month-old. Significant differences of antithrombin activity were found between 6-month-old and 4 month-old ones, and 5 month-old (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant difference between 6 month-old ones with other samples. Eleven-month-old W. pigra got the most dry weight, and there were significant difference between 11 month-old ones with other samples (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>November, namely for 6 month old artificial cultivated W. pigra was the best harvest time in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.</p>