Induction of stress compounds in shoots of Glehnia littoralis during preservation

The effect of preservation on production of furanocoumarin stress compounds, psoralen, xanthotoxin and bergapten, in edible young leaves and stems of Glehnia littoralis was investigated. The shoots obtained from several local markets were preserved under different conditions. A time course study of the furanocoumarin contents by HPLC analysis indicated that these stress compounds accumulated especially in and around cut ends during preservation. When the shoots were cut into pieces and preserved, the stress compounds accumulated to a much greater extent. Since these furanocoumarins are potent photosensitizers, these results indicate that the aged cut ends should be removed before use as a vegetable, and that the cut shoots should be used without preservation.