Abstract:

In this study, the contents of 5 active components (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total flavanols, total
saponins and total alkaloids) and 4 antioxidant abilities (diammonium 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)
(ABTS+), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazylradical (DPPH), superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and reducing power
and cupricion reducing power) were tested on Lilium lancifolium Thunb. bulbs from 15 populations, to reveal the differences
in antioxidant properties among these populations. Further, the cause of this disparity was explained with ecological factors.
The results indicated that significant differences in the contents of 5 active components and 4 anti-oxidation abilities
existed among different populations. The highest levels shown in the contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total
flavanols, total saponins and total alkaloids were 32%, 29%, 22%, 34% and 36% higher than the average levels, respectively.
Among all the populations, Lhasa population (Tibet, China) possessed the greatest antioxidant capacity, the ABTS+, DPPH
and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and cupricion reducing power of which were 70%, 25%, 17% and 29%
higher than the average levels, respectively. The mean value of total antioxidant components of the 15 populations reached
11 757.23 mg/kg, which was 1.62 times as high as that of Lilum davidi var. unicdor cotton. In conclusion, the bulbs of L.
lancifolium Thunb. is a potential functional food ingredient. Besides, the origin of Lilium lancifolium Thunb. populations has
a significant influence on the content of functional components and antioxidant properties of their bulbs, which should be
taken into account in future studies and utilization.

Key words: Lilium lancifolium, populations, active components, antioxidant ability