OBJECTIVETo make full use of the plant resources of Panax notoginseng, nutritional compositions and mineral elements were analyzed in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different areas in Yunnan.

METHODUsing the national standard method, water, ash, crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein and mineral elements were determined in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different growing areas.

RESULTResults showed that there were higher contents of crude fiber and crude protein, and lower content of crude fat in the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng. Meanwhile, a large number of mineral elements were determined in two locations of P. notoginseng, and the contents of Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were obvious higher among these mineral elements.

CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng were nutritious and suggested that the aerial part may be utilized as new resources foods.