MORPHOLOGY, PHENOLOGY AND A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF SAPONIN IN Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. FROM TUAN GIAO DISTRICT, DIEN BIEN PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Abstract

This study aimed to provide additional information on the morphology, phenology and preliminary saponin characteristics of naturally occurring Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. in Tuan Giao district, Dien Bien province, Vietnam. Phenology was monitored in 30 reproductive plants. Rhizome samples collected in October 2024 were examined by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). For gravimetric analysis, each estimated age class of 7, 8 and 9 years was represented by one composite sample prepared from three individuals (n = 1 per age class). The observed plants displayed the characteristic morphology of the species, with heights ranging from 20 to 100 cm. Shoots and young leaves appeared from January, flowering occurred mainly in March - April, and fruits ripened mainly from June to August. TLC revealed spots matching the color and Rf of the stipuleanosid R2 reference standard. The three composite samples yielded gravimetric estimates of 5.01%, 5.83% and 7.89% of dry rhizome mass, respectively. As each age class had only one composite sample and the gravimetric method may include compounds co-extracted with saponins, these preliminary values do not establish differences among age classes. The findings provide additional information for species identification and conservation and guide further studies on the medicinal quality of P. bipinnatifidus in Dien Bien province.