Contents of Functional Components in Wild Anoectochilus roxburghii from Eastern Fujian

Functional components and their contents in Anoectochilus roxburghii found in the wild in the eastern Fujian regions were compared by ultraviolet spectrophotometry analysis. Four counties in the province and 5 altitudes above sea level in Fu'an were where the herbal materials collected for this study. The analysis showed that the content of polysaccharides in the samples ranged from 5.60% to 6.20%, total amino acids, from 3.48% to 3.95%, total flavonoids, from 0.55% to 0.82%, and total alkaloids, from 0.062% to 0.098%. Variance analysis and multiple comparison indicated significant differences existed in these contents among the wild A. roxburghii from different counties and altitudes in the area. The highest polysaccharide and total alkaloid contents were found in the samples from Zhouning County; and, those of amino acids and flavonoids, from Shouning County which was highly significantly different for those from Fu'an and significantly different for those from Zherong County. The polysaccharide content in the samples increased significantly in high altitudes. For instance, at 730 m and 840 m, the polysaccharide content was greater than that at 420 m and 530 m, at a highly significant or significant difference level. The total amino acid content increased with altitude as well, but the difference was not significant. The total flavonoids and alkaloids increased from 420 m to 730 m. At 730 m and 840 m, they were greater than those at 420 m and 530 m with highly significant differences. Over all, the contents of polysaccharide, flavonoids, and alkaloids were significantly different between below and above 650 m sea level. The differences on the contents of the 3 functional components in A. roxburghii were not significant at altitude beyond 650 m. The results suggested it be preferable to choose the wild A. roxburghii from Shouning and Zhouning County for germplasm resources, and the artificial plant tissue cultivation be located in areas above 650 m sea level, in order to foster accumulation of the active ingredients.