Study on the components changes of polysaccharides and saponins during nine steaming and drying of Polygonatum sibiricum

BACKGROUND: In this study, the content and structure of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides and saponins during different processing stages were determined. RESULTS: After processing of Polygonatum, the content of polysaccharide and glucose decreased, and the content of galactose, glucuronic acid and sugar substitution gradually increased. The content of total saponins increased significantly. Only 18 compounds were found in raw Polygonatum and 17 new compounds were presented in processed Polygonatum. During the processing of Polygonatum, the polysaccharide was partially degraded into oligosaccharides, the molecular weight gradually decreased, and the neutral sugar was converted into uronic acid, resulting in a decrease in polysaccharide content. The saponins were partially degraded into sapogenins or modified. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies the changes in the content and structure of polysaccharides and saponins in processed Polygonatum, which will pave the way for elucidating the processing mechanism. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.