Abstract: Objective: To analyze the chemical compositions in different parts of the seeds of three Paeonia species for the purpose of exploring the prospects for the development and comprehensive utilization of Paeonia seeds. Methods: Thousand seed mass, shell and kernel percentage, seed oil meal content, seed oil content and fatty acid composition, and main chemical components of shell and seed oil meal were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Thousand seed mass for P. ostii, P. rockii, and P. lactiflora was 280.16, 263.64 and 187.68 g, respectively. For all three species, seed shell accounted for more than 31%, and seed oil meal represented over 37% of the mass of the seeds. Seed oil meal from all these species were rich in protein and monoterpenoid glycoside, and seed shell contained considerable amounts of oligostilbene compounds, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Conclusion: The fatty acid constituents and the contents of main unsaturated fatty acids of P. lactiflora seed oil are similar to those of the seed oils of P. ostii and P. rockii. P. lactiflora seed oil has the potential to be developed as a high-quality edible oil. Seed shell and seed oil meal from all three Paeonia species contain a wide range of bioactive constituents and thus they are worthy of research and development. The development and utilization of seed meal and shell from P. ostii and P. rockii are of great significance for the healthy development of the oil peony industry.

Key words: Paeonia, seeds, physicochemical characterization, monoterpene glucosides, oligostilbene compounds