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The phenolics are the main bioactive substances of Huangshan Gongju, a famous chrysanthemum of China, but their digestive characteristics are still unknown. To explore the digestive properties of Huangshan Gongju phenolics, the flower was extracted and subjected to simulated digestions, and their phenolic profile and activity were analyzed. The results indicated that the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the extract varied with the simulated digestion steps, and they generally decreased in the oral and small intestine digestions but increased in the gastric digestion, and high correlations were detected between the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity (0.873 < r < 0.979, p <.01). The change of phenolic profile during the simulated digestions was similar to that of total phenolics content, and six individual phenolics were identified and quantified, and three of them, including chlorogenic acid, apigenin‐7‐O‐rutinoside, and apigenin‐7‐O‐6″‐acetylglucoside showed higher recovery (>64.29%), implying they may be the main functional phenolics of Huangshan Gongju. Practical applications: This study proved that most phenolics in Huangshan Gongju were relatively stable during digestion. The finding may guarantee the application of Huangshan Gongju in the field of functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily mean air temperatures from 81 meteorological stations in Northeast China were analyzed for the spatiotemporal change of the climatic growing season during the period 1960-2009. Our results showed that latitude strongly influenced the spatial patterns of the mean start (GSS), end (GSE), and length (GSL) of the growing season. For the area studied, a significant increasing trend in GSL during 1960-2009 was detected at a significance level of 0.01, especially after the early 1980s. The area-average GSL has extended 13.3 days during the last 50 years, mainly due to the advanced GSS evident in the spring (7.9 days). The variations of GSS and GSE were closely correlated with the monthly mean temperature ( T) of April and October, respectively, while GSL was closely related to the monthly minimum temperatures ( T) of spring (March to April) and autumn (September to October). The distributions of the trends in growing season parameters (GSS, GSE, and GSL) showed great spatial variability over Northeast China. Significant relationships between altitude and the trend rates of the GSS and GSL were detected, while geographic parameters had little direct effect on the change in GSE. This extended growing season may provide favorable conditions for agriculture and forest, and improve their potential production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) also known as wolfberry, is one of important medicinal plants in China that has been in use for its medicinal properties and as food supplement for centuries. The abundant bioactive compounds in its fruit, leaves, and root bark are considered beneficial to human health. Phenolic compounds were extracted from different locations of Goji leaves, including tip bud leaves (GBL), young leaves in the middle (GYL), and old leaves at the base (GOL). The phenolics from Goji leaves using ethanolic condensation backflow extraction (EE), ultrasonic extraction (UE), and enzymatic extraction (ME) were prepared, and their polyphenol concentration and antioxidant ability were analyzed. Polyphenol in Goji leaf varied with different positions and extraction techniques. Total 47 phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-MS, including 43 in GBL, 38 in GYL, and 26 in GOL. Chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were the main phenols in Goji leaves, and the highest content of chlorogenic acid in GBL-UE was 2105.05 ± 77.25 µg /g. All Goji leaves showed significant antioxidant effect and polyphenol content, especially GBL that having the highest phenolic level and the stronger antioxidant capacity. Different extraction methods for different leaf positions could improve the extraction efficiency, UE and ME were found suitable for extracting GBL and GOL samples; EE and UE were suitable for extracting GBL samples. GBL exhibited better phenolics and better antioxidant attributes, which are suitable for the development of nutraceuticals and skincare products. [Display omitted] • 47 phenolic compounds were identified from Goji, including 43 in GBL, 38 in GYL, and 26 in GOL. • Chlorogenic acid and rutin were the main phenolic substances in Goji leaves. • The highest phenolic content was found in GBL, followed by GYL and the least in GOL. • For polyphenol extraction, UE and ME were suitable for GBL and GOL; EE and UE were suitable for GBL. • Our study provides a theoretical basis for the industrial utilization of Goji leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]