Distribution of As in Panax notoginseng and Its Effects on Saponin and Flavonoid Contents in Wenshan Prefecture,Yunnan Province

[Objective] To discuss As distribution law in Panax notoginseng and its effects on saponin and flavonoid contents in Wenshan Prefecture,Yunnan Province. [Method] Field investigation and lab analysis were conducted in order to understand As distribution in different parts( main root,fibrous root and rhizome) of P. notoginseng with two-year old and three-year old and its effects on saponin and flavonoid contents in P. notoginseng plantation area in Wenshan Prefecture,Yunnan Province,China. [Result]The results showed that: The sequence of As contents in different parts of P. notoginseng was fibrous root rhizome main root. The highest As content was 0. 31-0. 33 mg / kg in fibrous root. As contents in P. notoginseng with three-year old was higher than that in P. notoginseng with two-year old. Flavonoid content in P. notoginseng was 3. 45-11. 10 mg / g. Flavonoid content in P. notoginseng with two-year old was higher than that in P. notoginseng with three-year old. Significant negative relationship between flavonoid and As contents in fibrous root was observed. Total saponin and three single saponins( R1,Rg1,Rb1) contents in main root and rhizome were higher than in fibrous root. Total saponin content was 4. 08%-13. 51%. Ginsenoside( Rg1,Rb1) contents occupied 90. 53%-97. 79% of total saponin. Total saponin and three single saponins contents in P. notoginseng with three-year old was higher than that in P. notoginseng with two-year old. Significant positive relationship between notoginsenoside R1 and As contents in fibrous root was observed. Significant negative relationships between total saponin and two ginsenoside( Rg1,Rb1) and As contents in rhizome were observed. [Conclusion] Therefore,effects of As on saponin and flavonoid are dependent on different parts and saponins types. With As increasing,contents of saponin in fibrous root increased,contents of flavonoid in fibrous root and saponin in rhizome decreased.