Abstract: The β-carotene in Elsholtzia bodinieri V. was studied quantitively and qualitatively with chromatograpphy and spectrophytometry methods. The results showed that the seed was of high nutritive values and pharmaco- logical efficacy, and of promising prospects in exploitation and utilization in food and medicine.

Key words: Elsholtzia bodinieri V.； &beta, -carotene； chromatography； spectrophytometry；