Growth Characteristics, Glycyrrhizin and Free Sugar Content of Licorice Species

This study was investigated to elucidate the growth characteristics and the contents of glycyrrhizin and free sugars of Glycyrrhiza plants, i. e. G. glabra var. glandulifera, G. uralensis, and G. pallidiflora. The growth of G. glabra var. glandulifera and G. pallidiflora was better in plots planted with stolon and stem over 2cm in diameter compared to that of below 1cm and . G. glabra var. glandulifera didn't bloom in Suwon but produced stolon, while G. pallidiflora bloomed but did not produce stolon. Total root weight of six-year-old G. glabra var. glandulifera consisted of stolon (73.2%) and primary root (26. 8 %). The contents of glycyrrhizin and free sugars were highest in stolon, followed by tap root and leaf. The glycyrrhizin contents in Glycyrrhiza plants were 7.38% in G. glabra var. glandulifera, 5.29% in G. uralensis and 0. 15% in G. pallidiflora.