[Determination of lignin content in tiny Panax ginseng by UV spectrophotometry].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the UV spectrophotometry for determining lignin content in tiny Panax ginseng powder.


METHODS
Classical Klason method and UV spectrophotometry were used.


RESULTS
The lignin contents measured by UV spectrophotometry were higher, more repeatable and accurate as comparison with the Klason method. The specific absorptance peak of ginseng lignin appeared at 260 nm. The acetyl bromide treatment of the UV spectrophotometry was processed for ginseng powder at 70 degrees C for 30 minutes. It is also concluded that the lignin contents were obvious different among various ginsengs.


CONCLUSIONS
UV spectrophotometry is simple, accurate and just need a little materials. It is especially suitable to determine the lignin content for ginseng and other precious Chinese traditional medicines.
Li
Jing
J
School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Cheng
Zhou
Z
Yang
Xiao-Ling
XL
Li
Shan
S
Gu
Min
M
Wan
Shu-Wen
SW
Zhang
Wen-Ju
WJ
Chen
Jia-Kuan
JK
D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D008031:Lignin