Abstract:

This paper aimed to seek the suitable harvesting period for different uses of Zanthoxylum armatum var. Novemfolius, providing reference for enterprises and farmers to determine suitable harvesting time for Z. armatum var. Novemfolius. Z. armatum var. Novemfolius variety ‘Jiuyeqing’ was used as the test material. Samples were collected approximately every 6 days to test yield and quality index, after Z. armatum var. Novemfolius entering fruit expansion period (from April 12^th to July 1^st). The results showed that the fruit size was increased by 77% at the end of rapid expansion period compared to the beginning of the period. Thousand fruit weight was still increasing after expansion period. By early June, thousand fruit weight was significantly increased by 228% compared to the beginning of the period. The rate of kernel/seed was significantly deceased as a delay of the harvesting period due to increasing seed weight. A mass of volatile oil and amide compounds accumulated after fruit expanded, and content of which showed a rising trend in early stage of harvesting periods and smooth trend in later. In fresh Z. armatum var. Novemfolius, content variations of volatile oil and amide compounds were 0.6-2.8 mL/100 g, 2.5-16.7 mg/g. The total content of main aroma components in volatile oil, such as Linalool, Limonene and Myrcene, increased gradually with the harvest period and then decreased. The trends of total alcohol ketone were rising continuously in early stage and reached the peak at 58.59% on June 19^th, and then began to decrease slowly. These conclusions indicate that the suitable time for harvesting Z. armatum var. Novemfolius for sauce is from the end of April to early-May. The suitable time for harvesting fresh Z. armatum var. novemfolius is after early June for better quality, because contents of volatile oil and amide compounds approach or reach the peaks. The suitable time for harvesting Z. armatum var. novemfolius to dry is after late June. The suitable time for harvesting Z. armatum var. novemfolius for oil is mid-July in order to ensure full aroma, numb flavor.

Key words: Zanthoxylum armatum var. Novemfolius, harvest time, yield, quality