OBJECTIVETo determine arbutin contents in different populations of Bergenia purpurascens in Yunnan province, for screening out the best resource and best part of B. purpurascens.

METHODThe SB-C18 column was used with methanol-water (15: 85) as the mobile phase, at the flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1) and column temperature of 30 degrees C, and 282 nm was selected as the detected wavelength.

RESULTThere were much significant differences in arbutin contents among various parts of the same B. population. The sequence of parts from high to low was lamina > petiole > root > rhizome. Arbutin contents in laminae of different B. populations were different at the most significant level and varied between 6.36% and 1.51%. Arbutin contents in rhizomes of different B. populations were also dignificantly different at varied between 1.72% and 0.40%.

CONCLUSIONLamina is the best part for extracting arbutin. B. population distributed in Laojunshan mountain in Lanping county is the best resource for arbutin exploitation in B. purpurascens.