Study on Biochemical Components and Their Annual Variation Rules in New Shoots of Chaenomeles sinensis
In order to research and develop alternative tea products of Chaenomeles sinensis leaves,the new shoots of different tenderness and periods,flowers and fruits were picked and their main nutritional and functional components were analyzed and compared.The results indicated the contents of polyphenol,flavonoid and oleanolic acid saponin in new shoots were significantly higher than or nearly to those in flowers and fruits.The contents of nutritional and functional components were different in new shoots of different tenderness and periods,and were the highest between June and August.The contents of polyphenol and oleanolic acid saponin rose with the increase of maturity level,and reached the highest in the new shoots with a bud and three leaves.Consequently,the new shoots of Chaenomeles sinensis should be picked at the period of a bud and three leaves between June and August for exploitation and utilization of alternative health care tea.