OBJECTIVETo study the patterns of dynamic accumulation of total flavonoids and total saponins in the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus collected from different harvest times, and compare the contents of total flavonoids and total saponins in roots of O. japonicus which were processed with different methods.

METHODThe total flavonoids and total saponins contents in O. japonicus were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONFrom December to January, the total contents of flavonoids and saponins in the roots of O. japonicus gradually decreased, and gradually increased from February to March, and kept stable in April. The contents of total flavonoids and total saponins in the O. japonicus were influenced by different processing methods.

Desiccation ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Saponins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Seasons ; Temperature ; Time Factors