Changes in antioxidative substance levels in eleven different cultivars of persimmon leaves during growth were investigated. In general, the contents of soluble phenols, L-ascorbic acid and flavonoids in astringent persimmon leaves(APL) were higher than those of nonastringent persimmon leaves(NAPL). The soluble phenol contents in APL and NAPL showed a tendency to decrease throughout leaf growth. L-ascorbic acid content in APL decreased rapidly during growth, whereas its content in NAPL reached its highest value at the late of July, and then decreased rapidly. Major flavonoids in APL and NAPL were quercetin and Kaempferol which were present in conjugate forms. Before acid hydrolysis, the contents of kaempferol and quercetin in APL and NAPL remained at a relatively constant level until the late of July, and then decreased slightly. After acid hydrolysis, kaempferol contents in APL and NAPL varied significantly by cultivar and growth stage, while quercetin contents decreased slowly until the late of July, and then increased drastically, reached a maximum at the early of August, afterward continuously decreased. These results suggest that APL harvested at the early of June may be useful as potential sources of natural antioxidants.

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