Effect of drying methods on the saponin and mineral contents of Platycodon grandiflorum radix

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide basic information about the drying methods (daylight, hot-air, and freeze drying) used for Platycodon grandiflorum radix. We investigated the mineral, free sugar, and saponin contents of dried P. grandiflorum. The potassium and calcium contents of hot-air-dried samples were the highest (22.6 and 9.2 mg%, respectively), when compared to those of daylight- or freeze-dried samples. Glucose and sucrose contents were the highest in freeze-dried samples (1,552 and 145.0 mg%, respectively), while fructose content was the highest in hot-air-dried samples (611.9 mg%). Platycodin D content was the highest in hot-air-dried samples (622.0 mg%); however platycodin D3, polygalacin D, and deapioplatycodin D contents were the highest in daylight-dried plant (113.5, 756.6, and 109.2 mg%, respectively). Glucose content was highly negatively correlated (p<0.01) with platycodin D, platycodin D3, and deapioplatycodin D (-0.924, -0.957, -0.861, p<0.01, respectively). These results suggest that the drying method affects the saponin content of P. grandiflorum and daylight and hot-air drying methods are more suitable and beneficial than freeze-drying.