Leaf color as an indicator of the accumulation pattern of pharmaco-nutritional compounds in <i>Lithocarpus litseifolius</i> spring foliage.

ABSTRACT: Lithocarpus litseifolius leaves are rich in pharmaco-nutritional compounds such as phlorizin and trilobatin, and their spring foliage exhibits vibrant colors. However, the relationship between leaf color and the levels of these compounds remains unexplored. This study investigated the growth patterns of naturally variegated Lithocarpus litseifolius and measured the pharmaco-nutritional component content using UV-Vis and HPLC, along with the correlation between these components and leaf color. The results showed that spring foliage followed an S-shaped growth curve, while total flavonoid content of the pharmaco-nutritional components exhibited a multi-peak accumulation pattern, initially increasing before declining. Trilobatin levels peaked on April 3 and April 8, whereas phlo

SUBMITTER: Zhao P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12729113 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature