Evaluation of the quality of lotus seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn from outer space mutation

Lotus seeds from outer space mutation, named as No. 36 space lotus seed, have been used for 6 years in Jianou county, Fujian province, China and compared to the native counterpart. The proximate composition (ash, moisture, protein, lipid, alcohol extract, 100-seed weight, carbohydrate) and nutritional components (amino acids, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, phospholipids) of No. 36 space lotus seed and native lotus seed embryos were compared. The results indicate that the profiles of proximate composition and nutritional components of No. 36 space lotus seed and native lotus seed embryos were similar; however, most chemical contents were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the former. This result was also confirmed by the HPLC fingerprint. The quality of No. 36 space lotus seed was better than that of native lotus seed and the results support the use of this seed as a food and a herbal medicine product.