Abstract:

HPLC method was used to analyze vitamin E content in 29 seed samples of different original species or variants of genus Perilla L. from Sichuan and Guangdong Provinces, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand or U.S.. Results showed that 29 Perilla L. seed samples were all rich in VE. There were extremely significant differences of total and respective contents of δ-VE, γ- VE and α-VE among 29 Perilla L. seed samples. Total VE contents varied in the range of 79.90 to 383.30 μg/g, with an average value of 199.76 μg/g. The average contents of δ-VE, γ-VE and α-VE were 5.81, 190.47 μg/g and 3.48 μg/g, respectively. Among 29 Perilla L. seed samples, P06-37 from Japan exhibited the highest total VE content, reaching up to 383.30 μg/g. No significant differences in total and respective contents of δ-VE, γ-VE and α-VE among seeds of different original species and variants of genus Perilla L. tested were observed and P. frutescens (L.) Britton var. frutescens (baisu) exhibited the highest average values of total and respective contents of δ-VE, γ - VE and α -VE.

Key words: Perilla L., seed, vitamin E, HPLC