Determination and analysis of vitamin E content in 16 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) varieties

In the present study, the vitamin E (VE) content and main components including -VE and -VE of 16 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) varieties were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The correlations between total VE content, -VE content and -VE content were also analyzed. The results showed that the total VE contents of 16 varieties ranged from 1.833 to 6.346 mg100 g-1 FW with the average of 3.281 mg100 g-1 FW. Zhongmu No.1 had the highest VE content with 6.346 mg100 g-1 FW, whereas Aohan had the lowest VE content with 1.833 mg100 g-1 FW. For all the tested varieties, both -VE and -VE asymmetrically distributed and -VE was the main component of VE which was much higher than -VE. Correlation analysis indicated that the total VE content was significantly and positively correlated with the -VE content while the -VE was significantly and positively correlated with the -VE content. Comparison analysis results showed that three varieties including Zhongmu No.1, Ladak and Xinjiangdaye had higher VE content. The present study provided experimental support for the utilization and the quality breeding of alfalfa.