Abstract:

        We determined the contents of such mineral elements as Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in different organs of  Trichosanthes  kirilowii  Maxim, a Shandong local medicine. We also addressed the mineral element contents of snakegourd roots from two different sexes. Results show that there is no significant difference for mineral element contents in their skins and seeds, but the distinction exists in the distribution of mineral elements. Calcium content is 0.25%~0.28% in the skin, and 0.1% in the seed. However, the content of other mineral elements are higher in the seed. Moreover, the mineral element contents of female snakegourd root are higher than those of male snakegourd root, which indicates that female snakegourd root has higher capability to absorb and preserve mineral elements.

Key words: Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, different organs, mineral element distribution