Effect of Different Drying Methods on the Chemical Composition of Farfarae Flos / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of different drying methods on the major compounds in Farfarae Flos(FF). METHODS: The content of moisture and tussilagone were determined, and the common peaks in the HPLC fingerprint were calculated and subjected to the principal component analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the moisture content was the highest when the FF was dried in the shade, and the drying method showed little effect on the content of tussilagone. The results of the principal component analysis showed that the FF dried in the shade was different from those of FF being dried under heat. The relative content of major compounds were the highest for the FF dried in the shade. In addition, the caffeoyl quinic acids and flavonoids were greatly affected after heating, however the heat drying showed little effect on the sesquiterpenoids. Among the different drying temperature, 55 ℃ showed smallest effect on the main components in the FF. CONCLUSION: The components in FF can be protected when drying in the shade, which reveals the scientific basis for the traditional experience of drying. However, in order to facilitate the drying process on a large scale, and minimizing the effect of drying on the compounds in the FF, drying temperature of 55 ℃ is recommended.