Comparative Analysis of Metabolic Compositions and Trace Elements of with Different Growth Years.

As a traditional medicine with extensive history, has high nutritional and medicinal value. However, its quality evaluation criteria are insufficient because it is not included in the pharmacopeia. Simultaneously, it is a perennial plant, and the medicinal ingredients change with the growth years. Currently, studies on the synthesis and accumulation of metabolites and elements in during different growth years are unavailable. To address this issue, in this study, the 8 main active substances, metabolism profiles, and 12 trace elements of from different growth years (1, 3, and 5 years old) were analyzed. The main substances of changed significantly in different years of growth. Saponin and sterol contents increased with age; however, the polysaccharide content decreased. For metabolism profiling, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was performed. Among the three groups, 156 differential metabolites with variable importance in projection values >1.0 and < 0.05 were identified. Among the differential metabolites, 16 increased with increasing years of growth and have the potential to become age-identified markers. A trace element study showed that the contents of K, Ca, and Mg were higher, and the ratio of Zn/Cu was less than 0.1%. Heavy metal ions in did not increase with age. The results of this study provide a basis to evaluate the edible values of and facilitate further exploitation.