Interspecific differences in total flavonoid and sugar content in Taraxacum in Shergyla Mountain and their variation with altitude and slope orientation

Abstract [Objective] Taraxacum is an important medicinal and edible herb distributed commonly in Xizang. We aim to determine the content of the major pharmacologically active ingredients, including total flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other sugars, in different dandelion species and analyze the effect of altitude and slope orientation to provide guidance for the exploitation and utilization of Taraxacum resources in Xizang. [Methods] Six Taraxacum species were used as materials, including T . eriopodum (D. Don) DC., T . calanthodium Dahlst., T . sikkimense Hand.-Mazz., T . maurocarpum Dahlst., T . grypodon Dahlst., and T . stenoceras Dahlst., which were growing at different altitudes and slopes in Shergyla Mountain of Xizang. The content of total flavonoids and several sugars was analyzed. [Results] (1) The total flavonoid content of T . eriopodum on the west slope at 3 900 m (80.9 mg/g) was higher than the others, and the total flavonoid content of T . sikkimense on the east slope at 2 300 m (29.08 mg/g) w