Multi-Indicator Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Turpinia arguta (Lindl.) Seem Herbs at Different Harvesting Periods

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate differences in the leaf biomasses, chemical compositions, and pharmacological activities of Turpinia arguta histocultured seedlings and live seedlings at different harvesting periods (S1, S2, S3, and S4) in order to determine the optimal harvesting period. Eleven indexes, including biomass, key active components, secondary metabolites, nutrient content, and antioxidant activity, were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography and colorimetric methods during different harvesting periods. The weights of the 11 indexes were calculated by principal component analysis, and then a comprehensive quality evaluation was performed. The results showed significant differences in leaf biomasses, key active components, secondary metabolites, nutrient contents, and antioxidant activities between the different harvesting periods. The highest quality score was obtained for the S4 period, indicating that the quality of T. arguta was the best at this time and that the S4 period was the most suitable harvesting period. At this period (S4), the medicinal component content, antioxidant activity, and comprehensive quality score of the histocultured seedlings of T. arguta were higher than those of the live seedlings, indicating the importance of tissue culture technology in enhancing the quality of T. arguta. This study provides more novel and abundant information and reference for determining the appropriate harvesting period of T. arguta, with the aim of providing newer scientific guidance for the management of herbs.