Effects of cultivation temperature on the growth and saikosaponin production of Bupleurum falcatum L. cultivars

The effects of cultivar and cultivation temperatures on root extract, ash content and saikosaponin content of Bupleurum falcatum L. were investigated using four Japanese and one Korean cultivars. Results showed that the Korean cultivar obtained higher root extract and saikosaponin contents but lower ash content than the Japanese cultivars at cultivation temperatures of 16.5-17.6degC. Higher cultivation temperature (21.0degC) consistently yielded low values in all parameters for both cultivars. Results also showed inverse relationships between root extract and ash content, and between ash content and saikosaponin content. On the other hand, root extract showed direct relationship with saikosaponin content. This study indicated the usefulness of component analysis of plant materials for traditional medicinal preparation since each plant material may have different concentration of their active ingredients.