Coix Seed, also known as Yi Yi (薏苡仁), is the seed of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. mayuen (Roman.) Stapf, which belongs to the family Poaceae. It thrives in sunny and warm, humid climates, typically cultivated at altitudes below 1200 meters in flat or sloped areas. In China, it is mainly distributed in regions such as Guizhou, Fujian, Liaoning, and Hebei. Coix Seed can be consumed in various forms, such as beauty soups and nourishing porridge, often paired with red dates, tremella (银耳), and goji berries (枸杞). According to the 2015 edition of the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia”, the recommended daily dosage for adults is 9-30 grams, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. It is now listed among food and medicinal sources.
Component Analysis
Nutritional Components
Coix Seed contains various nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, with specific contents shown in Table 1 and Table 2.
Table 1: Nutritional Components of Coix Seed (mg/100g)
Table 2: Amino Acid Content of Coix Seed(mg/100g)
Active ComponentsThe active components of Coix Seed mainly include sterols, triterpenes, and polysaccharides. Among them, the polysaccharide content is 10-21 mg/g.
Functional Effects
Enhancing ImmunityThe polysaccharides in Coix Seed can significantly increase the phagocytic percentage and index of peritoneal macrophages in immunocompromised mice, promoting the formation of hemolysins, hemolytic plaques, and lymphocyte transformation, thereby enhancing immunity.Lowering Blood SugarThe polysaccharides in Coix Seed can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic mice induced by alloxan, with mechanisms possibly related to the inhibition of liver glycogen breakdown, muscle glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis.AntioxidantThe polysaccharides in Coix Seed exhibit certain scavenging effects on superoxide anion radicals (·O2–), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·). The scavenging ability of free radicals increases with the concentration of Coix Seed polysaccharides.Anti-inflammatoryCoix Seed oil can significantly inhibit paw swelling in mice induced by egg white, demonstrating good anti-inflammatory effects, possibly related to reducing capillary permeability. In addition to the aforementioned functions, Coix Seed also possesses anti-tumor properties.
References
[1]Zou Zhengping. Research on the Development and Activity of Coix Seed and Red Bean Compound Beverage[D]. Jilin University, 2018.
[2]Deng Li, Li Feixiang, Deng Zhengchun. Production Technology of Selenium-Enriched Coix Seed[J]. Hunan Agricultural Science, 2012(24):57-58.
[3]Li Zefeng, Hao Yunliang. Nutritional Components and Comprehensive Utilization of Coix Seed[J]. Agricultural Science and Equipment, 2012(5):74,76.
[4]Wang Lingzhi, Yuan Jianna, Zhang Xiaohua, et al. Study on the Protein Components of Coix Seed[J]. Modern Biomedical Progress, 2012,12(23):4416-4418,4432.
[5]Yang Zhiqing, Wang Shuo, Zhang Shibao, et al. 15 Types of Coix Seed Polysaccharide Content Determination[J]. Asia-Pacific Traditional Medicine, 2014,10(19):25-26.
[6]Xu Zihui, Zhou Shiwen, Huang Linqing. Isolation and Extraction of Coix Seed Polysaccharides and Their Blood Sugar Lowering Effects[J]. Journal of Third Military Medical University, 2000(6):578-581.
[7]Liu Xiang, Liu Zhenchun. Study on the Antioxidant Capacity of Coix Seed Polysaccharides[J]. Agricultural Product Processing, 2017(2):12-14.
[8]Miao Mingsan. Effects of Coix Seed Polysaccharides on Immune Function in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002(5):49-50.
[9]Tao Xiaojun, Yan Yuhui, Xu Zhili. Research on the Anti-inflammatory and Swelling Effects of Coix Seed Oil[J]. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015,17(1):45-46.
[10]Wen Xiaorong. Research Progress on Chemical Components and Antitumor Activity of Coix Seed[J]. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008(3):135-138.
▲ Scroll up and down to see more
Contributed by/Kang WeiReviewed by/Wang Ying, Wang GuoliangTypeset by/Jiang Shanshan
