A method of improving the harvesting and on-site primary processing of ice hockey puck quality

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine harvesting and primary processing technology, and relates to a method for harvesting and primary processing of *Phyllostachys edulis* (a type of medicinal herb) to improve its quality. The method includes the following steps: harvesting pseudobulbs from 3-year-old *Phyllostachys edulis* plants; cleaning and removing impurities; classifying pseudobulbs into four grades (premium, first, second, third, and fourth grade) according to weight and size; steaming the premium, first, and second grade pseudobulbs (meeting commercial standards) at differentiated times using a water bath until thoroughly cooked; ice water bath; hair removal and root removal; sun-drying; and final drying. This invention, by using differentiated steaming times, takes into account the tissue characteristics of pseudobulbs of different sizes, significantly increasing the content of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata glycoside, as well as the dry weight ratio, thereby comprehensively improving the medicinal quality of *Phyllostachys edulis*.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of Chinese medicinal herb harvesting and primary processing technology, and particularly relates to a method for harvesting and primary processing of *Ice Ball Seed* to improve its quality. Background Technology

[0002] Ice ball seed is an important traditional Chinese medicine. According to the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, its origin is the dried pseudobulb of *Pleione bulbocodioides* and *P. yunnanensis*, both belonging to the Orchidaceae family. Ice ball seed has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and dissipating nodules. It is used to treat carbuncles, boils, scrofula, snake and insect bites, and abdominal masses. It is a major raw material for more than 20 traditional Chinese medicine preparations, including Longbishu capsules and Rupiqing tablets. The main chemical components of ice ball seed are phenanthrene compounds, bibenzyl compounds, and benzyl succinate glycosides, including militarine, dactylorhin A, and batatasin III. Among them, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla glycoside and bletilla glycoside, which are benzyl succinate glycosides, are used as indicator components for the quality testing of *Iceballia spp.* medicinal materials, and their content determines the quality of the medicinal materials.

[0003] Before 2020, *Pseudobulbus* (a type of pseudobulb) primarily relied on harvesting wild resources to meet market demand. With the gradual depletion of wild resources, its original plant was included in the 2021 edition of the *National Key Protected Wild Plants List*, prompting enterprises and growers to begin large-scale artificial cultivation. By 2025, the planting area of ​​*Pseudobulbus* had exceeded 2.8 km², with an annual production of 550-600 tons of fresh pseudobulbs. Currently, the scale of *Pseudobulbus* cultivation still cannot meet market demand, and the scale continues to expand. However, unregulated harvesting and primary processing methods at the place of origin have become significant factors affecting the stability and safety of *Pseudobulbus* medicinal materials. Regarding harvesting, growers often prioritize high yields, evaluating larger pseudobulbs as better, neglecting the importance of the medicinal quality. In terms of primary processing, growers and enterprises accelerate the dissolution or chemical decomposition of dark-colored small-molecule pigments through high-temperature steaming to achieve a lighter appearance, and the steaming time lacks standardization. However, research has revealed that the content of key chemical components and the dry weight of pseudobulbs are inversely proportional to their size. Blindly pursuing yield during harvesting leads to a decline in quality. More critically, current processing methods fail to consider the differences in tissue structure, density, and lignification among pseudobulbs of varying diameters, applying the same steaming time to all sizes. Because different sizes of pseudobulbs require different amounts of air removal, enzyme degradation, and time to inhibit redox reactions, a uniform steaming time results in insufficient enzyme hydrolysis and incomplete softening of larger pseudobulbs due to insufficient steaming time, while smaller pseudobulbs become soft and mushy due to excessive steaming time, leading to significant loss of water-soluble active ingredients. Both of these factors significantly reduce the quality of the medicinal material. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a method for harvesting and initial processing of ice hockey berries to improve their quality.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] The method includes the following steps in sequence:

[0007] 1) Harvesting: Select 2-3 year old ice ball plantlets and carefully dig up the pseudobulbs by hand or bare hands from late October to early January of the following year. Cut off the withered leaves, roots and withered old pseudobulbs.

[0008] 2) Cleaning and removing impurities: Soak the pseudobulbs obtained in step 1) in water for 30 minutes, then remove the soil and rough skin from the pseudobulbs, and drain them.

[0009] 3) Grading: The pseudobulbs obtained in step 2) are manually graded according to weight and size;

[0010] 4) Steaming: The pseudobulbs of each grade of ice ball that meet the commercial standards obtained in step 3) are steamed in a steamer until thoroughly cooked;

[0011] 5) Ice water bath: Immerse the suitable processed pseudobulbs of the ice ball obtained in step 4) in a cold water bath for 5 minutes, then remove and drain.

[0012] 6) Remove roots: Remove impurities from the pseudobulbs obtained in step 5), rinse quickly with water, and drain.

[0013] 7) Drying: Place the pseudobulbs obtained in step 6) in a sunroom and dry for 5 days;

[0014] 8) Drying: Pour the pseudobulbs obtained in step 6) into a drying tray, spread them evenly in 1-2 layers, and put them into a tunnel drying room for drying. The drying temperature is controlled at 70℃. Dry for 5 days until the pseudobulbs are brittle and the moisture content does not exceed 15%.

[0015] Further optimization involves classifying the pseudobulbs into five grades based on weight in step 3): Grade 1 has 66-200 bulbs / kg with an average weight of 5-15g; Grade 1 has 31-65 bulbs / kg with an average weight of 15-30g; Grade 2 has 20-30 bulbs / kg with an average weight of 30-50g; Grade 3 has more than 201 bulbs / kg with an average weight less than 5g (processed individual bulb diameter less than 1cm), which does not meet commercial standards; and Grade 4 has less than 20 bulbs / kg with an average weight exceeding 50g (processed individual bulb diameter greater than 2cm), which also does not meet commercial standards. Since the diameter of Grade 3 pseudobulbs is smaller than the 1-2cm diameter and 1.5-2.5cm height requirements of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for pseudobulbs, these Grade 3 pseudobulbs, which do not meet commercial standards, are stored in breathable mesh bags in a cool, shaded place as seed bulbs for further planting. If the pseudobulbs of Grade IV ice ball seed have internal cracks and are hollow, and the individual size is larger than the requirements of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, they should be screened out.

[0016] Further preferred, the steaming time and seed retention in step 4) are as follows: 6 minutes for premium grade, 10 minutes for grade 1, 12 minutes for grade 2, and no steaming for grade 3 and 4 seed retention.

[0017] Further preferably, the hair removal machine in step 6) has a rotation speed of 200 rpm and a hair removal time of 5-10 minutes.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0019] By grading the pseudobulbs of *Pseudobulbus* var. *icarius* by size, smaller individuals are considered to be of higher quality, provided they meet the size requirements stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Optimal steaming times were applied to pseudobulbs of different sizes, combined with rapid cooling via an ice-water bath, significantly improving the quality of *Pseudobulbus* var. *icarius*.

[0020] Because larger pseudobulbs of *Ice Ball Seed* have a higher degree of lignification and lower content of active ingredients, and because larger individuals experience less abiotic stress, they are less likely to accumulate secondary metabolites, thus the quality of *Ice Ball Seed* is inversely proportional to the size of the pseudobulb. Furthermore, different diameter pseudobulbs require different amounts of time to expel air from the medicinal material and destroy enzymes. Using different processing times for different sizes ensures sufficient enzyme destruction, inhibits oxidation-reduction reactions in the tissue, and prevents excessive loss of water-soluble active ingredients due to prolonged processing, thereby reducing quality.

[0021] This invention introduces an ice-water bath step into the graded steaming process, creating a synergistic effect with the differentiated steaming time. The ice-water bath quickly terminates the residual heat during steaming, preventing small pseudobulbs from becoming overcooked and mushy due to the continued effect of internal residual heat when a large number of pseudobulbs accumulate after steaming. Premium and Grade 1 pseudobulbs are smaller and have denser tissues, resulting in higher internal temperatures after steaming. If not cooled promptly, the residual heat will continue to ripen their internal tissues, leading to a soft and mushy texture, further loss of some water-soluble active ingredients, and affecting the operability of subsequent hair removal and root trimming processes. Differentiated steaming ensures that pseudobulbs of each grade reach the optimal state of being fully cooked within the optimal time, while the ice-water bath ensures that this optimal state is locked in immediately after steaming, preventing the quality of small individuals from deteriorating due to accumulated residual heat. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 Histogram of 2-O-glucosyl leucoside content for ice balls of different grades at different steaming times.

[0023] Figure 2 Histogram of ginsenoside content for different steaming times of ice balls of various grades. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0025] Example 1, Processing of premium-grade *Phyllostachys edulis*: Following the methods in steps 1) to 3) of this invention, from late October to late January of the following year, at the *Phyllostachys edulis* planting base of the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3-year-old *Phyllostachys edulis* plants were selected. The pseudobulbs were carefully dug up with a hand shovel, and the leaves and shriveled old pseudobulbs were removed. The pseudobulbs were soaked in water for 30 minutes to remove the soil and rough skin, and then drained. They were manually graded according to weight to obtain premium-grade *Phyllostachys edulis* pseudobulbs (66-200 pieces / kg, individual weight 5-15g). The fresh weight, dry weight, length and width of fresh pseudobulbs, dry fraction, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content, and bletilla spore content of this grade of pseudobulb were determined. The results were as follows: dry weight 1.06 ± 0.94 g, fresh weight 5.77 ± 0.50 g, fresh pseudobulb length 22.43 ± 0.72 mm, fresh pseudobulb width 22.51 ± 0.83 mm, dry fraction 18.00 ± 0.70%, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content 2.574 ± 0.361 mg / g, and bletilla spore content 4.289 ± 0.136 mg / g. The diameter of the extra-grade pseudobulbs after drying was within the range of 1-2 cm, meeting the morphological standards stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

[0026] According to steps 4) to 8) of this invention, the pseudobulbs of premium-grade *Pseudobulbus* are steamed for 6 minutes, then immersed in a cold water bath for 5 minutes, drained, and placed in a hair removal machine at 200 rpm for 5-10 minutes to remove fibrous roots and outer skin impurities. They are then quickly rinsed with water and drained. They are then placed in a sunroom under full sunlight and dried evenly in a single layer for 5 days. Finally, they are poured onto drying trays, spread evenly in 1-2 layers, and placed in a tunnel drying room at 60-70℃ for 5 days until the pseudobulbs are brittle and the moisture content does not exceed 15%. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs are measured. The results are as follows: after steaming for 6 minutes, the content of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata is 2.665 ± 0.071 mg / g, and the content of bletilla striata is 4.730 ± 0.139 mg / g.

[0027] Example 2, Processing of Grade 1 Ice Balls: The procedure was the same as in Example 1, yielding Grade 1 Ice Ball pseudobulbs (31-65 bulbs / kg, individual weight 15-30 g). The fresh weight, dry weight, length and width of fresh pseudobulbs, dry fraction, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content, and bletilla spore content of this grade of pseudobulb were measured. The results were as follows: dry weight 2.25 ± 0.18 g, fresh weight 14.13 ± 1.35 g, fresh pseudobulb length 38.22 ± 2.39 mm, fresh pseudobulb width 28.73 ± 0.83 mm, dry fraction 16 ± 0.13%, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content 2.112 ± 0.135 mg / g, and bletilla spore content 3.887 ± 0.136 mg / g. The diameter of the Grade 1 Ice Balls after drying was within the range of 1-2 cm, meeting the morphological standards stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

[0028] Following steps 4) to 8) of this invention, the steaming time for the first-grade *Pseudobulbus davidii* was set to 8 minutes, with the remaining operations identical to those in Example 1. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were as follows: after steaming for 8 minutes, the 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content was 1.7243 ± 0.0231 mg / g, and the bletilla striata content was 3.1721 ± 0.0205 mg / g.

[0029] Example 3, Processing of Grade II Ice Balls: The procedure was the same as in Example 1, yielding Grade II ice ball pseudobulbs (20-30 pieces / kg, individual weight 30-50g). The fresh weight, dry weight, length and width of fresh pseudobulbs, dry fraction, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content, and bletilla spore content of this grade of pseudobulb were measured. The results were as follows: dry weight 4.21 ± 0.20 g, fresh weight 32.29 ± 1.46 g, fresh pseudobulb length 45.97 ± 2.13 mm, fresh pseudobulb width 39.52 ± 1.47 mm, dry fraction 13 ± 0.21%, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content 1.947 ± 0.442 mg / g, and bletilla spore content 3.090 ± 0.081 mg / g. The diameter of the Grade II ice balls after drying was within the range of 1-2 cm, meeting the morphological standards stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

[0030] Following steps 4) to 8) of this invention, the steaming time for the secondary ice ball pseudobulbs was set to 10 minutes, with the remaining operations the same as in Example 1. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were as follows: after steaming for 10 minutes, the content of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata was 1.909 ± 0.008 mg / g, and the content of bletilla striata was 2.983 ± 0.032 mg / g.

[0031] Comparative Example 1, Grade III pseudobulb treatment: The procedure was the same as in Example 1, yielding Grade III pseudobulbs (more than 201 per kg, with a single bulb weighing less than 5g). The fresh weight, dry weight, length and width of the fresh pseudobulbs, dry fraction, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content, and bletilla spore content of this grade of pseudobulb were measured. The results were as follows: dry weight 0.72 ± 0.16 g, fresh weight 3.27 ± 0.44 g, fresh pseudobulb length 15.23 ± 0.13 mm, fresh pseudobulb width 12.13 ± 0.23 mm, dry fraction 16.00 ± 0.24%, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content 2.642 ± 0.161 mg / g, and bletilla spore content 4.358 ± 0.127 mg / g. Grade III pseudobulbs, after drying, have a diameter of less than 1 cm, which is below the lower limit (1-2 cm) specified in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and does not meet the standards for commercial medicinal materials. According to the grading principle in step 4) of this invention, these grade pseudobulbs are not steamed; instead, they are directly placed in breathable mesh bags in a cool, shaded place to be used as seed bulbs for further cultivation. They will be harvested and processed only after they have grown to the size required for commercial production.

[0032] Comparative Example 2: Grade IV pseudobulb removal treatment: The procedure was the same as in Example 1, yielding Grade IV pseudobulbs (less than 20 per kg, with a single bulb weighing over 50 g). The fresh weight, dry weight, length and width of the fresh pseudobulb, dry fraction, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content, and bletilla spore content of this grade of pseudobulb were measured. The results were as follows: dry weight 5.22 ± 0.124 g, fresh weight 52.22 ± 1.231 g, fresh pseudobulb length 50.13 ± 2.08 mm, fresh pseudobulb width 44.62 ± 1.14 mm, dry fraction 10.00 ± 0.22%, 2-O-glucosyl bletilla spore content 1.749 ± 0.321 mg / g, and bletilla spore content 3.090 ± 0.081 mg / g. Grade IV pseudobulbs, after drying, have a diameter greater than 2 cm, exceeding the upper limit (1-2 cm) stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and are hollow inside, thus failing to meet commercial standards. According to the grading principle in step 4) of this invention, these grade pseudobulbs are not steamed and are directly sieved out. During cultivation, pseudobulbs should be harvested promptly before reaching this size to avoid excessive lignification, reduced content of active ingredients, and internal hollowing due to excessively large size.

[0033] The results from Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 show that, among the three grades conforming to the 1-2 cm diameter range specified in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the premium grade individuals, although the smallest, had the highest content of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata (2.574 mg / g) and bletilla striata (4.289 mg / g), as well as the highest dry weight percentage (18%). For grades 1 and 2, the content of the two indicative components and the dry weight percentage decreased sequentially with increasing size, confirming that the quality of the pseudobulbs is inversely proportional to the size of the pseudobulb. Although the grade 3 individuals in Comparative Example 1 had relatively high contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata (2.642 mg / g) and bletilla striata (4.358 mg / g), their diameter after drying was less than 1 cm, failing to meet the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and thus unsuitable for commercial sale. The grade 4 individuals in Comparative Example 2 not only exceeded the diameter limit but were also hollow internally and had the lowest dry weight percentage (10%), indicating the worst quality. By retaining seeds at three levels and screening them at four levels, the risks of ineffective processing and substandard products are avoided, thus improving the overall economic benefits of planting and processing.

[0034] Comparative Example 3: Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs were steamed for 10 minutes. Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs from Example 1 were used, and the steaming process was repeated according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 1, except the steaming time was changed to 8 minutes. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 2.505 ± 0.039 mg / g, and bletilla striata content 3.868 ± 0.106 mg / g.

[0035] Comparative Example 4: Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs were steamed for 10 minutes. Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs from Example 1 were used, and the steaming process was repeated according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 1, except the steaming time was changed to 10 minutes. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 2.552 ± 0.049 mg / g, and bletilla striata content 4.269 ± 0.070 mg / g.

[0036] Comparative Example 5: Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs were steamed for 12 minutes. Superior grade *Ice Ball* pseudobulbs from Example 1 were used, and the steaming process was repeated according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 1, except the steaming time was changed to 12 minutes. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 2.422 ± 0.039 mg / g, and bletilla striata content 4.062 ± 0.064 mg / g.

[0037] Comparative Example 6: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs steamed for 8 minutes: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs graded in Example 2 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 2, except the steaming time was changed to 8 minutes; the remaining operations were the same as in Example 2. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.724 ± 0.023 mg / g, bletilla striata content 3.172 ± 0.021 mg / g.

[0038] Comparative Example 7: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs steamed for 12 minutes: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs graded in Example 2 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 2, except the steaming time was changed to 12 minutes; the rest of the operation was the same as in Example 2. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.628 ± 0.029 mg / g, bletilla striata content 3.278 ± 0.574 mg / g.

[0039] Comparative Example 8: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs steamed for 14 minutes: Grade 1 *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs graded in Example 2 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 2, except the steaming time was changed to 14 minutes; the rest of the operation was the same as in Example 2. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.427 ± 0.025 mg / g, bletilla striata content 3.142 ± 0.542 mg / g.

[0040] Comparative Example 9: Second-grade pseudobulbs of *Iceballia* were steamed for 10 minutes. The pseudobulbs of *Iceballia* graded in Example 3 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 3, except the steaming time was changed to 10 minutes. The remaining operations were the same as in Example 3. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.909 ± 0.008 mg / g, and bletilla striata content 2.983 ± 0.032 mg / g.

[0041] Comparative Example 10: Grade II *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs were steamed for 14 minutes. The graded pseudobulbs from Example 3 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 3, except the steaming time was changed to 14 minutes; all other operations were the same as in Example 3. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.776 ± 0.006 mg / g, bletilla striata content 2.945 ± 0.024 mg / g.

[0042] Comparative Example 11: Grade II *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs were steamed for 16 minutes. The graded Grade II *Pseudobulbus* pseudobulbs from Example 3 were taken and processed according to steps 4) to 8) of Example 3, except the steaming time was changed to 16 minutes; all other operations were the same as in Example 3. The contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata and bletilla striata in the dried pseudobulbs were measured. The results were: 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata content 1.687 ± 0.016 mg / g, and bletilla striata content 2.854 ± 0.012 mg / g.

[0043] The results from Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 3 to 11 show that the present invention determined the optimal steaming time for different grades of pseudobulbs: 6 minutes for premium grade, 10 minutes for grade 1, and 12 minutes for grade 2. At the optimal steaming time, the content of both indicative components reached their highest values ​​for each grade; while in treatments deviating from the optimal time, the content of effective components decreased regardless of whether the steaming time was too short or too long. The premium grade pseudobulbs showed the highest content of effective components at 6 minutes of steaming. Extending the steaming time to 8 minutes, 10 minutes, and 12 minutes all resulted in a decreasing trend in content. This is because premium grade pseudobulbs are small and have dense tissue; steaming for 6 minutes is sufficient to remove air from the tissue and destroy enzymes, achieving the purpose of thorough cooking. Excessive steaming time leads to the loss of some water-soluble effective components. Grade 1 pseudobulbs showed the highest content of active ingredients after steaming for 10 minutes. Steaming for less than 8 minutes resulted in insufficient destruction of enzymes within the pseudobulbs, incomplete de-lignification, and easy enzymatic degradation of active ingredients during subsequent drying. Extending the steaming time to 12 and 14 minutes significantly reduced the content of active ingredients, indicating substantial loss of water-soluble components. Grade 2 pseudobulbs showed the highest content of active ingredients after steaming for 12 minutes. Steaming for 10 minutes slightly reduced the content, indicating that Grade 2 pseudobulbs are larger and more lignified, requiring longer steaming times for sufficient heat transfer and complete enzyme destruction. Extending the steaming time to 14 and 16 minutes resulted in a continuous decrease in active ingredient content, indicating that excessively long steaming times led to significant loss of water-soluble components. These results indicate that pseudobulbs of different diameters have varying degrees of tissue density, lignification, air removal, and enzyme destruction, resulting in differences in the required de-lignification time. This invention sets differentiated steaming times based on the tissue characteristics of each grade, which ensures that the internal structure of large individuals is fully cooked while avoiding the loss of components in small individuals due to over-processing.

[0044] Overall Review: Based on a comprehensive analysis of the results of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11, the harvesting and primary processing method for improving the quality of ice hockey pucks described in this invention has the following significant advantages:

[0045] In the harvesting process, this invention divides the pseudobulbs of the ice ball seed into five grades according to their weight and size, clarifying the harvesting range that meets the commercial standards (special grade, first grade and second grade). Individuals that are too small (third grade) and do not meet the standards are retained for seed and planted, while individuals that are too large and hollow (fourth grade) are screened out in advance.

[0046] The comparison of the harvest quality test results for each grade is shown in the table below:

[0047]

[0048] Among the three grades conforming to the 1-2 cm diameter range of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the special grade individuals, although the smallest, had the highest content of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata (2.574 mg / g) and bletilla striata (4.289 mg / g), as well as the highest dry weight percentage (18%). For grades one and two, the content of the two indicative components and the dry weight percentage decreased sequentially with increasing size, confirming that the quality of the pseudobulb is inversely proportional to its size. This graded harvesting strategy fundamentally solves the problem of blindly pursuing yield while neglecting quality in existing technologies, ensuring that the medicinal materials entering the processing stage all have a superior quality foundation. Meanwhile, although the grade three individuals in Comparative Example 1 had relatively high contents of 2-O-glucosyl bletilla striata (2.642 mg / g) and bletilla striata (4.358 mg / g), their diameter was less than 1 cm, failing to meet the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and thus unsuitable for commercial sale. The grade four individuals in Comparative Example 2 not only exceeded the diameter standard but were also hollow internally and had the lowest dry weight percentage (10%), indicating the worst quality. By retaining seeds at three levels and screening them at four levels, the risks of ineffective processing and substandard products are avoided, thus improving the overall economic benefits of planting and processing.

[0049] In the steaming process, this invention determined the optimal steaming time for different grades of pseudobulbs. The results of measuring the effective component content at different steaming times for each grade are shown in the table below:

[0050]

[0051] At the optimal steaming time, the content of both indicative components reached its highest value for each grade. However, in treatments deviating from the optimal time, the content of effective components decreased regardless of whether the steaming time was too short or too long. For premium-grade pseudobulbs, the content of effective components was highest at 6 minutes of steaming. Extending the steaming time to 8, 10, and 12 minutes resulted in a decreasing trend in content. This is because premium-grade pseudobulbs are small and have dense tissue; steaming for 6 minutes is sufficient to remove air from the tissue and destroy enzymes, achieving thorough cooking. Excessive steaming time leads to the loss of some water-soluble effective components. For first-grade pseudobulbs, the content of effective components was highest at 10 minutes of steaming. Steaming for less than 8 minutes resulted in insufficient destruction of enzymes inside the pseudobulbs, incomplete cooking, and easy enzymatic decomposition of effective components during subsequent drying. Extending the steaming time to 12 and 14 minutes significantly reduced the content of effective components, indicating a substantial loss of water-soluble components. The effective ingredient content of secondary pseudobulbs was highest when steamed for 12 minutes, and slightly lower when steamed for 10 minutes. This indicates that secondary pseudobulbs are larger and more lignified, requiring a longer steaming time to allow heat to be fully conducted to the interior and completely destroy enzyme activity. When the steaming time was extended to 14 minutes and 16 minutes, the effective ingredient content continued to decrease, indicating that excessively long steaming time led to a large loss of water-soluble components.

[0052] The above results indicate that pseudobulbs of different diameters exhibit varying degrees of tissue density, lignification, air removal, and enzyme degradation within the medicinal tissue, resulting in differences in the required drying time. This invention sets differentiated steaming times based on the tissue characteristics of each grade, ensuring sufficient drying of larger individuals while avoiding component loss due to over-processing of smaller individuals.

Claims

1. A method for harvesting and initial processing of ice hockey berries to improve their quality, characterized in that... The method includes the following steps in sequence: 1) Harvesting: Select 2-3 year old ice ball plantlets and carefully dig up the pseudobulbs by hand or bare hands from late October to late January of the following year, removing the leaves and shriveled old pseudobulbs. 2) Cleaning and removing impurities: Soak the pseudobulbs obtained in step 1) in water for 30 minutes, then remove the soil and rough skin from the pseudobulbs, and drain them. 3) Grading: The pseudobulbs obtained in step 2) are manually graded according to weight and size; 4) Steaming: The pseudobulbs of each grade of ice ball that meet the commercial standards obtained in step 3) are steamed in a steamer until thoroughly cooked; 5) Ice water bath: Immerse the suitable processed pseudobulbs of the ice ball obtained in step 4) in a cold water bath for 5 minutes, then remove and drain. 6) Root removal: Place the pseudobulbs obtained in step 5) in a hair removal machine to remove the fibrous roots and outer skin impurities, rinse quickly with water, and drain. 7) Drying: Place the pseudobulbs obtained in step 6) in a sunroom and dry for 5 days; 8) Drying: Pour the rootless pseudobulbs obtained in step 6) into a drying tray, spread them evenly in 1-2 layers, and put them into a tunnel drying room for drying. The drying temperature is controlled at 70℃. Dry for 5 days until the pseudobulbs are brittle and the moisture content does not exceed 15%.

2. The method for harvesting and initial processing of ice hockey pucks to improve their quality as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3), the pseudobulbs are divided into five grades according to weight: 66-200 per kg with an individual weight of 5-15g are Grade 1; 31-65 per kg with an individual weight of 15-30g are Grade 1; 20-30 per kg with an individual weight of 30-50g are Grade 2; more than 201 per kg with a processed individual diameter less than 1 cm are Grade 3, which does not meet commercial standards; less than 20 per kg with a processed individual diameter greater than 2 cm are Grade 4, which also does not meet commercial standards. Because the pseudobulb diameter of Grade 3 pseudobulbs is smaller than the 1-2cm diameter and 1.5-2.5cm height requirements of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for pseudobulb shape, Grade 3 pseudobulbs that do not meet commercial medicinal material standards are placed in breathable mesh bags in a cool place and kept as seed bulbs for further planting. Grade 4 pseudobulbs are hollow inside and should be screened out.

3. The method for harvesting and primary processing ice puck seeds according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 4), the steaming time and seed retention are as follows: 6 minutes for premium grade, 10 minutes for grade 1, 12 minutes for grade 2, and no steaming for grades 3 and 4.

4. The method for harvesting and primary processing ice puck seeds according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 6), the hair removal machine rotates at 200 rpm and the hair removal process lasts for 5-10 minutes.

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