[Dynamic accumulation regulation of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxyeurcumin in three strains of curcuma longae rhizome].

The paper is aimed to study the dynamic accumulation regulation of curcumin (Cur), demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxyeurcumin (BDMC) in three strains of Curcuma longa, and provide scientific references for formalized cultivation, timely harvesting, quality control and breeding cultivation of C. longa. The accumulation regulation of the three curcumin derivatives was basically the same in rhizome of three strains. The relative contents decreased along with plant development growing, while the accumulation per hectare increased with plant development growing. The accumulation of curcuminoids per hectare could be taken as the assessment standard for the best harvest time of C. longa. A3 was the best strain in terms of Cur and BDMC content.

[Study on growth and dry substance accumulation of Curcuma longa].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the growth characteristics of Curcuma longa, and provide basis for standardized cultivation. METHOD: Plant samples were collected and investigated periodically. RESULT: According to the growth of different parts and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation of C. longa, the development of C. longa could be divided into five stages: emergence of seedlings, seedling, leaf, root tuber expansion, and dry substance accumulation of root tuber. In terms of number, leaf of C. longa increases gradually from one at first to eight at the final stage. Leaf size increases at a very low speed at the stage of seedling. However, leaves expands their sizes at a much higher speed at the stage of leaf. The dry substance in different parts accumulates increasingly with the development of C. longa dry substance mainly accumulates in leaves at the stage of leaf, and in rhizome at the stage of root tuber expansion. At the final stage, it mainly accumulates in root tuber. CONCLUSION: Cultivation technologies of C. longa and the relevant management methods could be established according to the growth of different parts of C. longa and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation in different stages.

[Histological and morphological studies on leaves of Curcuma in China].

OBJECTIVE: To provide some new evidences for the classification and identification of medicinal materials of Curcuma. METHOD: The optical microscope and electronic microsccopic scaning were used to characterize the leaves of Curcuma. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: There were no obvious histological and morphological differences among the leaves of Curcuma. But the differences in the hair distribution, stoma density and size , shape and size of epidermic cells could be considered to be the main features for the microscopic identification of leaves of Curcuma.

[Histological and morphological studies on the rhizomes of Curcuma].

OBJECTIVE: To provide some new evidences for the identification of medicinal materials of Curcuma. METHOD: Microscopic observation was made to characterize the rhizomes of Curcuma. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: There were no obvious histological and morphological differences among the rhizomes of Curcuma. The distribution of oil cells and vascular bundles as well as the number and diameter of xylem vessels were considered to be the distinguishing features of their rhizomes.

[Numerical taxonomy of medicinal plants of Curcuma in China].

OBJECTIVE: To provide some new evidences for the classfication and identification of medicinal plants of Curcuma. METHOD: A numerical taxonomy by means of cluster analysis and principal Component analysis is used. Combined with RAPD analysis, computer image analysis and chemical analysis, the taxonomical relationships of the plants of Curcuma in China were characterized qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The plants of Curcuma is systematized into 9 species, 1 species complex, 3 cultivated varieties. A lot of taxonomic confusion and disputations were consequently expounded.