Analysis of Choline and Allantoin from Tuber of Keelong Yam (Dioscorea japonica Thunb var. pseudojaponica Yamamoto) and the Possibility of Mucin Applied on Skin-Care Products

• Main Authors: Yun-Ju Lai, 賴韻如
• Other Authors: Yi-Chung Fu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/60285351329841054593

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 食品科學系 === 91 === The tuber of yam is abundant of starch, proteins, mucin and minerals. It also contains choline, diosgenin and allantoin which are specially valuable and is a good nutrient source for human beings. It is difficult to separate yam starch from its tuber because the presence of the viscous mucin which is a carbohydrate moiety firmly associated with protein (glycopretein). Choline is an important nutrient; it is necessary for growth, normal bone development, and fat metabolism. It is also critical in brain development of both fetus and infants. Allantoin has long been recognized as the major nitrogenous compounds in a variety of plant species. It has been reported to promote epithelial stimulation and decrease pain. It is a healing, moisturizing, soothing and keratolytic agent useful in dermatological and cosmetics preparation. The objectives of this study were to analyze the quantities of choline and allantoin from Dioscorea japonica Thunb var. pseudojaponica Yamamoto (Keelong). Adsorptive bubble separation (ABS) was used to separate mucilage from its macerated liquid. The separated mucilage was investigated to find its application on cosmeceuticals. After separating mucilage from starch by ABS method, the content of choline in pulp is 2.21 mg/g. Allantoin may be transferred to its more stable form, allantoic acid, in the system with water content. So, allantoin and allantoic acid should be both analyzed from HPLC for determining the exact amount from the tuber of yam. The allantoin and allantoic acid in pulp of yam are 0.123 mg/g and 9.460 mg/g, separatively. The peel of yam is also abundant of allantoin and allantoic acid. The mucilage separated by ABS contains high ratio of polysaccharides and allantoin which can be used as an raw ingredients in cosmeceuticals.