Atractylodes macrocephala

Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu) is a medicinal rhizome, not a conventional food ingredient, so macronutrient profiling differs from dietary foods. Dry rhizome composition per 100g (approximate): Carbohydrates: 55-65g (primarily polysaccharides including AM-1, AM-2, AM-3 fractions at ~25-45% dry weight, which are the primary bioactive constituents); Crude fiber: 8-12g; Protein: 6-9g (containing essential amino acids including lysine, arginine, and glutamic acid); Fat: 1-3g (including volatile essential oils at 1.4-3.5% of dry weight). Key bioactive compounds: Atractylenolides I, II, and III (sesquiterpene lactones) — Atractylenolide I at approximately 0.8-2.0 mg/g dry weight, Atractylenolide III at 0.5-1.5 mg/g dry weight (primary immunomodulatory and anti-tumor agents); β-Eudesmol and atractylon (volatile terpenoids) comprising 30-50% of essential oil fraction; Polysaccharides (AMSP, AMP-1) at 150-300 mg/g dry weight — these exhibit immunostimulatory activity and gut microbiota modulation; Polyacetylenes including (4E,6E,12E)-tetradecatriene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diol at trace concentrations (~0.1-0.3 mg/g). Minerals detected: Potassium (380-450 mg/100g), Calcium (120-180 mg/100g), Magnesium (60-90 mg/100g), Iron (8-15 mg/100g), Zinc (2-4 mg/100g), Manganese (3-6 mg/100g). Vitamins: Limited data; trace B-vitamins present. Bioavailability notes: Polysaccharides show low oral bioavailability as intact molecules but exert significant prebiotic effects on gut flora; Atractylenolides are lipophilic and demonstrate moderate intestinal absorption enhanced by co-administration with bile acids; Traditional decoction preparation (water extraction at 100°C) optimizes polysaccharide yield but may degrade volatile terpenoids — dual extraction methods (water + ethanol) retain broader bioactive spectrum. Standardized extracts are typically normalized to atractylenolide III content (≥0.1% per USP-equivalent guidelines).