Diversity of Catechin Content in the Leaves of Persimmon Germplasms

Catechins are essential phenolic compounds in persimmon. However, the catechin content in the leaves of persimmon germplasms has not been systematically and comprehensively evaluated. To systematically assess catechin variation in different growth stages and astringency types of persimmon leaves, the young and adult leaves catechin content of 249 persimmon germplasms from Korea, Japan, and 16 provinces in China was quantified using an HPLC method. The results showed that the content of (−)-epicatechin (EC) and (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG) had higher coefficient of variation (CV) values in persimmon young leaves (106.74%) and adult leaves (91.49%), respectively. The genetic diversity H’ of (+)-catechin (CA) and (+)-gallocatechin (GC) content was higher in young leaves (2.00 and 2.03), and the H’ value of (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and CA content was higher in adult leaves (1.98 and 1.92). The non-galloylated catechins, EGC, EC, and CA, were significantly positively correlated with each other in both young and adult leaves. Catechins of persimmon leaves showed different accumulation patterns in different growth stages and astringency types; (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and CA had the highest average content in the persimmon germplasms of Guangxi and Shanxi provinces of China, respectively. The content of (+)-catechin gallate (CG) was found to be significantly higher in Japanese pollination-constant non-astringent (J-PCNA) persimmon leaves, and EC, GCG had the highest levels in Chinese PCNA (C-PCNA) type. The 249 germplasms were classified into five clusters (Cluster I-V) by SOM clustering based on the content of nine catechins, with EC, CA, and GC having the highest content in Cluster V of the adult leaves. In addition, four excellent germplasms of Cluster III had the highest EGC and GC content in young leaves. Thus, the critical period for catechin utilization of persimmon leaves can be further determined, and provide theoretical references for excellent germplasm screening.