ObjectiveBased on an efficient and accurate characterization method, we accurately quantified quebrachitol and explored the changing rules of its content in seabuckthorn, providing references for the development and utilization of seabuckthorn resources.

MethodAfter the comparison of the two methods, HPLC was selected for the determination of content of quebrachitol in three different parts of seabuckthorn, including the flesh, seed and leaf.

ResultThis method showed a good linear relationship (R² = 0.998 5), with high precision (RSD ≤ 0.53%), high accuracy (RSD ≤ 1.16%) and good repeatability (RSD ≤ 1.71%). The results showed that there was a significant difference in the content of alcohol in different parts of seabuckthorn (P < 0.01), and the content in the leaves of seabuckthorn was the highest (59.73 mg/g dry leaves), followed by the flesh of seabuckthorn (2.19 mg/g fresh flesh) and the seeds of seabuckthorn (0.39 mg/g fresh seeds). The leaves of seabuckthorn at different growth stages from May to September were collected, and the results showed that the content of quebrachitol increased gradually with the growth of leaves, and the growth rate was the largest from July to August, and the content accumulated to the highest in September (64.79 mg/g dry leaves).

ConclusionLiquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector was found easy operating, accurate, and repeatable for the determination of quebrachitol content. The quebrachitol content in the leaves of seabuckthorn was more abundant than that in the fruits, and it reached the highest in September. This study can provide effective data support for the development and application of quebrachitol in seabuckthorn resources.