Quality Evaluation of Wushan Codonopsis pilosula with different growth years

In order to compare the quality of Wushan Codonopsis pilosula at different growth years, 1~5 year old Wushan Codonopsis pilosula was collected. High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to analyse for differences in nutrients, organic acids, hydrolysed amino acids, active ingredients and volatile components. The results showed that the polysaccharide and alcohol-soluble extract contents of Wushan Codonopsis pilosula were the highest at 20.97% and 69.74% for 4 years, and the lowest at 8.38% for 5 years. Arginine with antitumor effects was detected at higher levels in 2 and 4 years. The content of lobetyolin was highest in the 4 years at 16.20 µg/g, with 2 to 3 years being its rapid growth period. A total of 119 volatile compounds, mainly alcohols, aldehydes and esters, were identified in the Wushan Codonopsis pilosula over 5 years, of which 47 key flavour compounds had an odour activity value (OAV) greater than 1. In addition, 15 differential key flavour compounds were distinguished. 1-Decanol and 2,4-Decadienal were identified as the compounds contributing most to the flavour of the growing process, with heptanal exhibiting a piquant fatty flavour, being the characteristic flavour compound in 5 years period. In a comprehensive analysis, the 4 years Wushan Codonopsis pilosula was considered to have the best edible and health qualities. This study provided a dynamic analysis of the quality of Wushan Codonopsis pilosula at 5 growth years, with a view to providing some theoretical guidance for the deep processing and comprehensive utilization of the Wushan Codonopsis pilosula resources.