Cultivation and preparation of Lithospermum roots quantification of total pigment in slender lateral roots

Abstract

Development of a new preparation method of Lithospermi Radix enabled almost all the slender lateral roots (diameter smaller than 2 mm) to be preserved. The weight ratio of slender lateral roots was about 5.5% in the whole root. The amount of acetylshikonin in the slender lateral roots was two-fold greater than in its tap and thick lateral roots (diameter larger than 2 mm). The acid-insoluble ash content in slender lateral roots was 1.16%.