Effect of handling and storage on alkylamides and cichoric acid in Echinacea purpurea

Changes in alkylamide and cichoric acid concentrations during the handling and storage of freshly harvested and dried Echinacea purpurea plants were investigated. Plants subjected to varying degrees of physical damage to simulate rough handling were found to show no change in the concentrations of alkylamides and cichoric acid when subsequently dried within 24 h. Storage of undamaged fresh plant material at 20 degrees C and 60% RH for 30 days also showed no significant loss of either group of constituents. Storage of dried crushed plant material showed that alkylamides were degraded at 20 and 30 degrees C, especially when held in light, but no toss occurred when stored at 5 degrees C in the dark. Cichoric acid was found to be stable at 5, 20 and 30 degrees C provided that the moisture content remained low or enzymic activity was eliminated by blanching. The findings have implications for the handling and storage of echinacea to optimise retention of alkylamides and cichoric acid. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.