This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of Rehmanniae radix (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino) freeze-dried powder (RRP) and Rehmanniae radix preparata powder (RRPP). Under the Hunter color system, redness was higher and lightness/yellowness lower in RRPP, compared to RRP. The reducing sugar contents of RRP and RRPP were 0.8% and 6.0%, respectively (p<0.05). The pH was lower in the RRPP (RRP: 6.71, RRPP: 4.23). The amount of catalpol amount in RRPP (47.20 mg/mL) was lower than RRP (144.90 mg/mL). RRPP contained high amounts of 5-HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2- furaldehyde, 47,231 mg/mL), but 5-HMF was not detected in RRP. Total phenol contents of RRP and RRPP were 2.10 mg/mL and 3.66 mg/mL, respectively. FRAP values of RRP and RRPP were 0.51 mg/mL and 1.99 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activities by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of RRPP were much higher than RRP. Based on these results, RRPP is a good candidate for food processing in terms for its physicochemical and antioxidative activities.

Keywords: Rehmanniae radix, Rehmanniae radix preparata, freeze-drying, antioxidant activities