This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and physiological activity of five kinds of fresh vegetables produced in trees in early spring and tried to use them as basic data for wild vegetable producers and processed food manufacturers using wild vegetables. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activity were determined. Five spring wild vegetables contain high protein and phosphorus, indicating that they are useful food ingredients as sources of protein and phosphorus. Vitamin C content was high in R. venicifera and C. sinensis shoots, and in particular, R. venicifera and A. cortex shoots have high folic acid (folate) contents of 1,903.91 ug% and 1,525.35 ug%, respectively, which is considered a good food for folic acid intake in spring. The total phenol content was between 0.52% and 1.27%, and it was the highest in C. sinensis of 1.27%, followed by the order of R. venicifera, A.cortex, K.pictus, and A. elata, which tended to be consistent with the total flavonoid content. As for DPPH radical scavenging ability, C. sinensis (55.93%) showed the highest activity, and ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest activity in A. cortex (88.04%).

This study was conducted to examine the antioxidative effect and nitrite scavenging ability of extract from Acanthopanax cortex shoot. The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of extract from Acanthopanax corex shoot were 116.33±6.09 ㎎ GAE/g and 65.07±4.10 ㎎ RE/g, respectively. Antioxidative activities were measured by various in vitro models such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP, reducing power, ABTS radical scavenging activity, ORAC assay. This results showed that the extract of Acanthopanax cortex shoot was effective in scavenging radicals and protecting oxidation when assessed various in vitro systems. Similarly, the nitrite scavenging ability of extract was increased in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, ORAC value at a concentration of 0.1 ㎎/㎖ was 103.4±5.6μM TE/g. Considering high consumer demand beneficial health effects, Acanthopanax cortex shoot can be utilized to develop functional food health-promoting and natural antioxidant agents.

The nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activities of the first and second sprouts of Kalopanax pictus, Cedrela sinensis and Acanthopanax cortex were investigated to increase the utilization of these sprouts. The moisture and crude lipid contents of the first sprout were higher than those of the second sprout, and the crude fiber and carbohydrate contents were higher in the second sprout. The organic acid content of the first sprout was higher than that of the second sprout. The second sprout had higher free amino acid contents in K. pictus and C. sinensis, and the first sprout had a higher content in A. cortex. Especially, the second sprout of K. pictus and C. sinensis had a higher level of glutamic acid, which is a major taste component of foods, than the first sprout. The second sprouts of all the samples had higher mineral levels than the first sprouts. In contrast, the first sprouts had higher total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and showed a higher antioxidant activity level, except for the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the A. cortex. The results of this study show that the nutritive value of the second sprout was higher than that of the first sprout, but the bioactive components value of the second sprout was lower than that of the first sprout. Therefore, additional research is needed on the cultivation condition required to maintain the nutritive values and the antioxidant activities of these sprouts.