Drying Method Affects Sugar Content in the Corm of the Medicinal Plant Pinellia ternata Breit

We compared the sugar, dry matter, and effective ingredient levels of the dried corms of the medicinal plant Pinellia ternata Breit. obtained by two drying methods: natural and freeze drying. The sucrose, glucose, and fructose levels were significantly higher in the naturally dried corm than those in the freeze-dried corm. Dry matter content was also significantly higher in naturally dried corm than in freeze-dried corm. There was no significant difference between the levels of the effective ingredients in the corms obtained using the different drying methods. The two drying methods, natural and freeze drying, affected the sugar content of P. ternata corm.