Seasonal variations in the content of sennosides in leaves and pods of twoCassia fistula populations

Abstract The seasonal and ripening-stage variations of sennoside content in leaves and pods of two Cassia fistula populations from Mexico were studied between November 1986 and October 1987. For both populations, a peak of sennoside content in leaves was observed in June when new leaves appeared, soon after the rainy season had begun. The highest percentages of sennosides in pods were recorded at the midstage of fruit maturation when the pods were pale brown in colour. There was a relation between age of trees and sennoside content. The population with older individuals contained lower levels of sennosides in their leaves and pods with respect to the other population with younger trees. In the last population outstanding individuals were detected which presented, beside a high sennoside content in leaves and pods, a high biomass production. Sennoside contents in leaves and pods and seasonal variations registered in C. fistula are discussed in relation to those described in the literature for C. acutifolia and C. angustifolia .