국내에 보유하고 있는 여주 유전자원을 대상으로 과실특성과 charantin 함량을 분석하고, 추후 유전자원을 다양한 용도로 활용하고자 수행하였다. 2010년에 선발된 수량이 높은 계통 2점의 charantin 함량을 HPLC 분석한 결과, 착과 후 일수에 따른 함량의 변이를 보였는데, BG1은 착과 후 24일 15일순으로 charantin 함량이 높게 나타나 착과 후반부에 charantin 함량이 높게 나타난 반면 BG7은 착과 후 일수가 13일에 가장 높았고, 16일 19일 순으로 charantin 함량이 높게 나타나 착과 전반부에 charantin 함량이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. Charantin 성분 함량이 높은 여주품종 선발 및 수확시기 규명을 위하여 한국, 중국, 인도, 일본 등에서 도입한 유전자원 33점과 시판종 1점중 수량이 높은 13점의 과실특성 및 charantin 함량을 HPLC 분석한 결과 charantin 함량이 높은 104615, K169995, 엔에스454을 선발하였다. 따라서 수량이 높은 13점의 여주자원중 charantin 함량이 높았던 K169995나 NS454은 새로운 품종 육성이나 가공용으로 활용할 수 있으며, 수량이 많았던 K161952나 K051434 등은 과실 생산 목적으로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 생각되고, 착과후 시기별로 용도에 따라 수확을 하여 이용하면 좋을 것으로 생각된다.

Momordica charantia L. is a valuable food and medicinal plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) that is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Physicochemical properties of M. charantia based on cultivars, parts and growing stage were investigated. Crude protein contents of leaf were 27.5%, 26.9%, and 23.6% in native leaf (NL), cv. Erabu leaf (EL), and cv. Dragon leaf (DL), respectively. In particular, the crude protein content was the highest in leaves. The crude fat content was in the order of developmental stage 1 of cv. Erabu fruit (EF1) and developmental stage 1 of native fruit (NF1) with values of 4.0%, and 3.9%, respectively. There was also high amount of crude fiber in stem of all three cultivars. The crude ash content was in the order of cv. Erabu leaf, cv. Dragon leaf, and developmental stage 3 of native fruit (NF3) with values of 23.2%, 17.4%, and 13.6%, respectively. The major minerals found in M. charantia were K, Ca, and Mg. The potassium contents of developmental stage 3 of native fruit (NF3), developmental stage 3 of cv. Dragon fruit (DF3), cv. Dragon stem (DS), and developmental stage 2 of native fruit (NF2) were 498.37, 339.21, 314.30, and 307.34 ㎎ /100g, respectively, while the calcium contents were decreased of EL, DL, and NL with values of 513.45, 371.69, and 209.43 ㎎/100g, respectively. The calcium content was higher in leaves and stems than fruits. On the otherhand, the highest magnesium content was measured in EL (69.92 ㎎/100g). The highest contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll were found in NL (442.9 ㎎/100g dw), EL (759.6 ㎎/100g dw), and EL (1164.9 ㎎/100g dw), respectively. The vitamin C contents from developmental stage 2 of cv. Erabu fruit (EF2), NF3, developmental stage 3 of cv. Erabu on fruit (EF3), and NF2 were found with values of 2849.9, 2330.5, 1985.1, and 1844.5 ㎎/㎏, respectively, and found to be higher in Korean cultivar and Erabu fruit than in Dragon. The charantin contents of leaf were higher than the fruit found to be 547.71, 506.04 and 395.62 ㎍/g dw in DL, EL and EF2, respectively. According to the results, mineral contents, total chlorophyll and charantin contents of M. charantia were higher in the leaves (EL and DL) than the fruits. And, vitamin C content was the highest in the fruit (EF2 and EF3). Therefore, much more research needs to be undertaken to use of the leaves as well as fruits. The data showed that M. charantia can be considered a good source of nutrient for application in food system.