This study was done in order to investigate the bioconversion of ginsenoside, as well as the quality characteristics of fermented ginseng, by using lactic acid bacteria. Quality characteristics such as the thin layer chromatography(TLC) pattern, ginsenosides, total phenolic content, electron donating ability, and total sugar of fermenting ginseng and red ginseng were analyzed. The ginsenoside Rg2r, Rh2s and Rh2r of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng for 65 hours at a temperature of 37℃ were not detected. The ginsenoside Rg1 and Re contents have decreased, while the Rh1, Rg2s, Rd, Rg3r, and Rg3s have increased due to fermentation. The ginsenoside Rg3 of the fermented red ginseng has increased and the contents were 114.83∼131.68 μg/mL (control 104.56 μg/mL). The total phenolic content and electron donating ability of the red ginseng have totally decreased after 7 days of fermentation. The total phenolic contents of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng with different lactic acid bacteria did not show any tendency as different strains. The electron donating ability of the fermented ginseng has increased; however, the electron donating ability of the red ginseng has decreased. The total sugars of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng with different lactic acid bacteria have also decreased.

This study was conducted to compare the contents of ginsenoside according the water extract conditions of red ginseng. In method A, red ginseng extract was prepared at 75℃ for 18 hours by 1 time extraction, and method B, the preparation was done at 85℃ for 18 hours by 1 time extraction. In method C, the primary extract prepared at 75℃ for 9 hours was blended with the secondary extract prepared by re-extracting the red ginseng residue obtained after the primary extraction, at 85℃ for 9 hours. Method D was the same procedure as method C but the extraction temperature for the primary extraction was 85℃ and that for the secondary extraction was 95℃. The contents of total and Rb1, Rg1 and Rg3 ginsenoside were highest in Method C. The content of prosapogenin (ginsenoside Rg2, Rg3, Rb1 and Rb2) was highest in Method B. There was no consistent tendency in Brix, pH, Hue value and absorbance among extraction methods.

This study was carried out to investigate ginsenoside content in different root parts and the correlation between root diameter and ginsenoside composition of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer cultivated by direct seeding. The unit contents of ginsenoside were 29.65, 28.76, 26.34 mg/g, respectively in 4, 5, 6 years old. However, the total contents of ginsenoside were 431.97, 606.56, 657.80 mg/root, respectively. Total ginsenoside content of fine root was higher than that of main root and lateral root. These tendencies were related to decrease by the increase of root diameter. When diameter of main root and lateral root were the same in different ages, the total ginsenoside content was higher in the order of 4 > 5 > 6 years old roots. Except for ginsenoside-Rg1, other ginsenosides components (PD/PT and total ginsenosides) had highly negative correlation with the root diameter within whole root, main root, lateral root and fine root, which indicated that ginsenoside content is correlated to root diameter. As results, it is suggested that ginsenoside content can be predicted.

This study was carried out to select optimal shade materials among four-layered polyethylene (PE) net (FLPN), aluminium-coated PE sheet (APSS), and blue PE sheet (BPSS) in condition of paddy field cultivated 6-year-old ginseng. The order of light-penetrated ratio and air temperature by shade materials was BPSS 〉 APSS 〉 FLPN. Light-penetrated ratio of BPSS before two fold shade was more 3 times and 2 times than that of FLPN and APSS, respectively. Air temperature of BPSS was also higher 1.6℃ and 1.4℃ than that of FLPN and APSS, respectively. BPSS showed good cultural environment because all of light-penetrated ratio and air temperature were become higher in spring and fall season but lower in summer season by additional shade with two-layered PE net. Survived-leaf ratio was highest in BPSS and lowest in FLPN causing a little water leak on a rainy day. Rusty-root ratio was also highest in FLPN because soil moisture content was increased by water leak. The order of root yield was BPSS 〉 APSS 〉 FLPN, and the cause of highest yield in BPSS was higher light-penetrated ratio during spring and fall season, higher survived-leaf ratio, and lower rusty-root ratio than that of APSS and FLPN. BPSS showed highest total ginsenoside content because of high light-penetrated ratio, blue light effect, and the difference in dry matter partitioning ratio such as low taproot ratio, and high lateral root ratio.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are promising cell source because of their unique self-renewal and pluripotency. Although hESC-derived cardiac cells are currently generated worldwide, cryopreservation of these cells is still limited due to low rate of post-thaw survival. Cryopreservation of hESC-derived cardiac cells is critical in that their long-term storage can accelerate their use in regenerative medicine. However, to date, there are few reports on efficient cryopreservation and post-thaw survival of hESC-derived cardiac cells. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ginsenoside, which is known to improve survival of rat embryonic cardiomyocytes against myocardial ischemia injury in diabetic rats (Wu et al., 2011), on the survival of hESC-derived cardiac cells after thawing. We induced differentiation into cardiac cells using our previously reported method (Kim et al., 2011). Differentiated, pre-beating stage cardiac cells were cryopreserved using either mass cryopreservation or vitrification. To evaluate the effects of ginsenoside (Re, Rb), we compared three sets: pre- and post-thaw treatment, pre- or post-thaw treatment only. The survival of post-thaw cardiac cells were evaluated using Trypan-blue and Annexin V staining. In addition, the three groups were treated with ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, and compared with non-treatment groups. The effect of ginsenoside was significant in post-thaw treatment group, i.e, thawed cells expressed cardiac specific genes and showed specific functionality such as spontaneous beating. Taken together, we demonstrated favorable effects of ginsenoside on the survival of hESC-derived cardiac cells after cryopreservation and thawing. These results suggest a possible application of well-known cardioprotectant ginsenoside in cell-based tissue engineering using hESC-derived cardiac cells.

This study compared the contents of low molecular ginsenoside according to fermentation process in low grade fresh ginseng. Low grade fresh ginseng was directly inoculated with a 24 h seed culture of Bifidobacterium Longum B6., Lactobacillus casei., and incubated at 36℃ for 72 h. Bifidobacterium Longum B6 was specifically was found to show the best growth on 3,255×106 CFU/ml after 48 h of fermentation. The content of ginsenoside Rb1, Re and Rd were decreased with the fermentation but ginsenoside Rh2 and Rg2 increased after fermentation process. In the case of low molecular ginsenoside conversion yields were 56.07% of Rh2, 12.03% of Rg3 and 77.11% of Rg2, respectively. In addition, compound-K was irregular conversion yield as long as 72 h of fermentation. This results indicate that fermentation process could increase the low molecular ginsenoside in low grade fresh ginseng.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is frequently used in Asian countries as a traditional medicine. The major components of ginseng are ginsenosides. Among these, ginsenoside compound K has been reported to prevent the formation of malignancy and metastasis of cancer by blocking the formation of tumor and suppressing the invasion of cancer cells. In this study, ginsenoside Rb1 was converted into compound K, via secreted β-glucosidase enzyme from the Leuconostoc lactis DC201 isolated, which was extracted from Kimchi. The strain DC201 was suspended and cultured in MRS broth at 37℃. Subsequently, the residue from the cultured broth supernatant was precipitated with EtOH and then dissolved in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) to obtain an enzyme liquid. Meanwhile, the crude enzyme solution was mixed with ginsenoside Rb1 at a ratio of 1:4 (v/v).The reaction was carried out at 30℃ and 190 rpm for 72 hours, and then analyzed by TLC and HPLC. The result showed that ginsenoside Rb1 was transformed into compound K after 72 hours post reaction.

In this study, ginseng flower water extracts were analyzed to set up the ginsenoside content and quality optimization condition. The highest total ginsenoside content among the ginseng flower water extracts was 67.44mg/g which was extracted at 85℃ for 3 hours. In addition, the ginsenoside content decreased according to the increased extraction temperature and time. The highest total content of Rb2 and Re was 37.42mg/g at 75℃ for 6 hours. Total content of Rb2 and Re decreased according to the increased extraction temperature and time. The highest prosapogenin (Rg2 + Rg3 + Rh1) content among the total of ginseng flower water extracts was 18.58mg/g which was extracted at 95℃ for 12 hours. The sweetness, absorbance were increased according to the increased extraction temperature and time. But pH was decreased according to the increased extraction time.

Growth characteristics, root yield and ginsenoside contents of 3-year-old ginseng in greenhouse shaded by 30˚ sloped-curtain made of aluminum were compared to traditional shade facility in order to develop cultural practice for organic ginseng. Light transmittance ratio in greenhouse with 30˚ sloped-curtain shade was distinctly lower than that of traditional shade from sunrise to 9 a.m., while its ratio in greenhouse was higher than traditional shade since 9 a.m. due to the reflection of light. Air temperature of greenhouse was 1.3℃ higher than that of traditional shade on the first ten days of August due to more reflected light. Root yield of greenhouse was 44% higher than that of traditional cultivation because of the inflow of reflected light and the decrease of disease of Alternaria and Anthracnose by blocking rainfall. Dry matter partitioning ratio of rhizome and lateral root were increased in ginseng cultivated at greenhouse due to longer survival time in leaf than traditional cultivation. Total ginsenoside contents cultivated at greenhouse was decreased in the part of taproot, while it was increased in the part of lateral and fine root compare to traditional cultivation. Individual ginsenoside contents between greenhouse and traditional cultivation showed significant difference more frequent in fine root than taproot and lateral root. Total ginsenoside contents including Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, and Rg2 in whole root of 3-year-old ginseng did not showed significant difference by greenhouse and traditional cultivation.

본 연구는 홍삼의 가능성 식품개발을 위한 기초 자료로 활용하기 위하여 추출 시간에 따른 홍삼 부위별 ginsenoside의 함량 변화를 비교하였다. 동체, 지근 및 세근의 총 ginsenoside 최고 함량은 동제 21시간, 지근 18시간, 세근 12시간 추출하였을 때 각각 23.04, 65.68 295.92 mg/100 ml이었고, 추출시간이 증가할수록 ginsenoside의 총량은 감소하였다. Ginsenoside Rg1 과 Rb1 의 최고 함량은 동제 21시간, 지근 15시간, 세근 12시간 추출하였을 때 각각 5.76, 28.39, 117.83 mg/100 ml 이었고, Rb2 와 Re의 함량은 동체 21시간, 지근 18시간, 세근 9시간 추출하였을 때 각각 5.76, 28.39, 117.83 mg/100 ml이었다. 홍삼으로부터의 총 ginsenoside의 추출비율은 동체 21.3%, 지근 21.1%, 세근 67.1%이었다.

The extent of growth L. plantarum (LP), L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LD), L. fermentum (LF), S. thermophilus (ST), B. longum (BI) and S. cerevisiae (SA) was generally good with the lower concentration of the ginseng extract. Total sapogenin content was slightly different with kinds of a fermentation microorganism and the time of fermentation process, and generally reduced compare to before fermentation. The content of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Re and Rf were decreased with the fermentation but ginsenoside Rd was increased by the E, LF and SA fermented extract. The content of compound K increased in the order of not-fermented extrac 〈 enzyme fermented extract 〈 enzyme and microorganism fermented extract, and as the fermented time get longer, the content of compound K was sightly increased. Especially, the content of compound K of the SA fermented extract was the most increased, also it of the BI, LD and LF fermented extract was increased, so these extract were considered a high valuable. Polyphenol content of the BI, LD, LP and ST fermented extract indicated 9.18±0.39~15.68±0.54 mg/10 g which was lower than it of a not-fermented extract (11.92±0.26~28.41±0.39 mg/10 g). Flavonoid content of a ginseng fermented extract indicated 26.93±0.17~156.45±1.29 mg/10 g, it was higher than a not-fermented extract (18.06±0.90 mg/10 g). As the fermented time get longer, the flavonoid content tendency to increase. DPPH radical scavenging activity of a fermented ginseng extract was 24.11±1.41~55.62±0.33%, it was slightly lower compared to a natural antioxidant, vitamin C. But it of the LF and ST fermented extract was similar to a natural antioxidant, vitamin C. It has not a concerned in a fermentation. Nitrite scavenging ability of a 24 hr fermented extract was above 80% at pH 2.5 and 4.2, it was similar to an artificial antioxidant, BHT (84.76±0.13%; pH2.5, 84.98±0.11%; pH 4.2). It has not a concerned in a fermentation. SOD-like activity of a fermented extract was lower than that of a not-fermented extract (19.22±0.51%), but it of the E and LP-fermented extract was a very highly notable value. As the fermented time get longer, the SOD-like activity tendency to increase.

It's crucial to control Alternaria blight and Anthracnose emerging mostly on ginseng leaves during the rainy season to increase the organic ginseng products. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficay of lime-brodeaux spray on the ginseng leaves and evaluate the growth and yield of the ginseng, and the contents of ginsenoside and 70% ethanol extracts from 3-year-old ginseng variety, Cheonpoong. Lime-bordeaux sprayings were conducted in the ratio of 6-6 in June, 8-8 from July to September every 15 days. After June 10, the spraying have no effects on the growth leaf and stem, and there was no significant increase in chlorophyll contents. The ratio of intact leaf and root were distinctly increased because Alternaria blight and Anthracnose were decreased by spraying lime-bordeaux mixture. Root weight per plant and root yield were increased by 15%, and 62% in 3-year old ginseng, respectively, because the ratio of intact leaf and root were higher by using lime-bordeaux mixture. Furthermore, spraying of lime-bordeaux mixture is prone to increase the ratio of rusty root in ginseng. Spraying of lime-bordeaux mixture decreased both of the contents of ginsenoside and 70% ethanol extract by 13.7%, and 15.2% in 3-year-old ginseng, respectively.

This study was carried out to determine changes in general chemical composition, free sugars, physicochemical properties of extract, and ginsenoside contents depending upon processing methods. Ginseng roots harvested from the same field were employed for the processing into white ginseng (WG), taegeuk ginseng (TG), red ginseng A (RGA, steamed one time), and red ginseng B (RGB, steamed three times). The fat content decreased by increasing duration of treatment and number of steaming treatment. On the other hand, there was no significant variation in contents of ash and carbohydrate depending on processing methods. Contents of sucrose and maltose was higher in Taegeuk and red ginseng than those of white ginseng. Steamed ginseng root (taegeuk and red ginseng root) showed higher amount of water extractable solid than the unsteamed white ginseng, but the variation of crude saponin content was not distinctive depending on processing methods. The contents of total ginsenosides increased by the order of white, taegeuk, red A, and red B root. In summary, chemical composition and total ginsenoside content were different according to part of root and processing methods, thus implies the importance of quality control as well as pharmacological activity of ginseng root.

This study was carried out to clarify the difference of growth characteristics and ginsenoside content in 5-year-old ginseng root grown by direct seeding and transplanting cultivation. Root weight per plant of direct seeding cultivation was lower than that of transplanting cultivation. Fresh and dry matter partitioning ratio of direct seeding cultivation was high in main root and low in lateral because direct seeding cultivation root elongated the length of main root, while it suppressed the growth of lateral root. Total amount of ginsenoside contents by direct seeding and transplanting cultivation were 362.8 and 320.3 mg in main root, 188.6 and 548.8 mg in lateral root, 170.7 and 273.8 mg in fine root. Its contents of whole root per plant were 722.1 and 1142.9 mg by direct seeding and transplanting, respectively.