To investigate the metabolism and accumulation of major bioactive components in Eucommia cicada.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was employed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze 9 kinds of Eucommia-derived bioactive components(aucubin, geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, geniposide, pinoresinol diglucoside, rutin, astragalin, quercetin and kaempferol) in both larval and newly emerged Eucommia cicadas.

The results showed that aucubin,geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, pinoresinol diglucoside and astragalin were detected in both larval and newly emerged Eucommia cicadas. Notably, geniposide and rutin were only found in newly emerged Eucommia cicadas,but not in larvae. Quercetin and kaempferol were not detected in any samples. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in the content of most components between the 2 sample types.

This study provides that Eucommia cicadas can absorb and accumulate bioactive compounds derived from Eucommia through the food chain,endowing them with the dual medicinal and nutritional value of both Eucommia and cicadas. It offers a scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Eucommia cicadas as a novel functional food or medicinal plant resource.