Comparison study of 4′-O-methylpyridoxine analogues in Ginkgo biloba seeds from different regions of China

Ginkgo biloba seeds are widely used in the food and medicine industry. This study aimed to compare the contents of anti-vitamin B-6 (VB6), including 4'-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN) and MPN-5'-glucoside (MPNG), and VB6 compounds in Ginkgo biloba seeds in terms of growth regions in China. Results showed that growth regions have a significant effect on the composition and content of MPN analogues. The total MPN and VB6 contents in G. biloba seeds varied from 187.17 mu g/g to 224.04 mu g/g and 400.44 mu g/g to 586.82 mu g/g, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that MPN and MPNG are important contributors in determining the difference of nine regions in China. Moreover, pyridoxal phosphate, an active form of VB6, had dispersed distribution in nine regions of China. These results suggest that the environmental condition may lead to the difference and similarities of MPN analogues in different regions of China.