Determination of Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids and Alkaloids in Different Varieties of Mulberry Leaves

In order to study the impact of cultivar, harvesting time, growth part and fixation on the bioactive compounds contents in mulberry leaves, four cultivars of mulberry leaves were analyzed for their total flavonoids content, total phenolic acids content, and alkaloids content. The results indicated that cultivar, harvesting time, growth part and fixation markedly affected the bioactive compounds content in mulberry leaves. XianghaiNo.1 contents the highest phenolic and alkaloids among the four cultivars, about4.25% and 10.33%. Contents of the bioactive compounds reduced as the part of leaves rises up. The highest content of the parts is the tip of leaves, about 4.25%, 10.33%, 8.49%.With the pushing of harvest time, the contents of the bioactive compounds showed a decreasing trend after the first increase, harvested in mid-August reached the highest, about 7.09%, 10.33%, 8.65%. Mulberry leaves had no fixation contains higher bioactive compounds, about 2.89%, 8.64%, and 4.81%. On the basis of these data, XianghaiNo.1 is suggested to be the best cultivar; tips of mulberry leaves containing more biological active substances; and the best harvest period is mid-August; also, in order to ensure the content of bioactive substances in mulberry leaves, the fixing technology need to be improved.