• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2016

Vitamin K (phylloquinone) is an essential cofactor in the synthesis of active blood-clotting factors II, VII, IX and X. Deficiency of vitamin K leads to inadequate activity of these factors, resulting in bleeding. In this study, we investigated vitamin $K_1$ content of agricultural products that are widely and specifically grown in Korea including 9 leaves and vegetables, 16 fruits, and 11 cereals and specialty crops. Vitamin $K_1$ analysis of the agro-samples was by a validated, modified, reversed phase-HPLC method with fluorescence detection after post-column derivatization. The vitamin $K_1$ content ranged from 1.83 to $682.73{\mu}g$/100 g in leaves and vegetables, 0.17 to $28.22{\mu}g$/100 g in fruits, and ND to $279{\mu}g$/100 g in cereals and specialty crops. Among the 36 samples, high content of vitamin $K_1$ were found in Gugija (Lycium chinense Miller) leaves (average $682.73{\mu}g$/100 g) and Hansan ramie leaves (average $423.12{\mu}g$/100 g); however, mushroom, amaranth and Chinese artichoke showed no detectable levels. The results of ourstudy provide reliable vitamin $K_1$ content of Korean grown agricultural products that expand nutritional information and food composition database.