Study on L-Dopa content in faba bean flowers

Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) flower is rich in L-Dopa used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. In order to utilize L-Dopa from faba bean flower more efficiently, the effects of factors on L-Dopa contents in faba bean flowers determined by HPLC were studied. Results showed that the L-Dopa contents in faba bean flowers differenced in germplasm resources, the highest L-Dopa content in faba bean flowers was 20 times higher than that of the lowest. The average contents of two years ranged from 0.53% to 10.63%, and the average was 4.48%.The darker the flower colors, the lower the L-Dopa contents in faba bean flowers. The L-Dopa contents of faba bean flowers of small seed species were lower than the medium and the large species in faba bean flowers. The L-Dopa contents of the buds were higher than open flowers. As the drying temperature increased, the L-Dopa contents reduced. That dried in 100°C was only 60% of that at 40°C.