Functional Component Contents in Mature Leaves, Young Shoots, and Adventitious Shoots of Japanese Persimmon ‘Saijo’

Abstract

The mature leaves of Japanese ‘Saijo’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) are consumed as ingredients in health foods and teas. Levels of ascorbic acid and polyphenols were compared between the mature leaf (M-leaf), young shoot (T-shoot; cultured by water-soaking twigs grown the previous year) and adventitious shoot (A-shoot; obtained from orchard trees). The level of total ascorbic acid (T-AsA) was highest in M-leaves, and though the levels of polyphenols were high in M-leaf and A-shoot, they were remarkably low in T-shoot. Isoquercitrin and astragalin levels were highest in A-shoot, followed by M-leaf, and then T-shoot.