Background: In Korea, 6-year-old ginseng root is economically more important than 4 or 5-year-old roots. In general, the root age is determined by counting the number of stem vestiges. However, this method does not accurately estimate ginseng root age. Methods and Results: In this study, the stem vestige counting method was used to survey a total of 18,395 fresh ginsengs cultured in 2014, and 2015, to determine the accuracy of this method. The proportion of 6-year-old roots, with more than four stem vestiges, was 46.1% in 2014. For the cultivar Chunpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Goesan countries in 2015, the proportion of more than four stem vestiges was 55.9%, and 43.5%, respectively. The proportion of more than four stem vestiges for the Gumpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Yangpyeong countries was 67.0%, and 35.1%, respectively, whereas that for the cultivar Yunpoong was 36.0% and 61.0%, respectively. Moreover, it was confirmed that differences in the levels of Rg1 will enable root age determination. Conclusions: Root age determination by the stem vestige test was found to differ depending on the environmental and cultivation conditions. To determine the age of ginseng roots, a comprehensive method, such as counting stem vestiges and evaluating differences in ginsenoside levels, should be applied.

We conducted two experiments to evaluate effects of feeding various types of red ginseng marc and Houttuynia cordata (H.cordata) on blood profiles of poultry in a completely randomized design. In experiment 1 (28 d), a total of 240 broilers (Arbor acres) were used. Four dietary treatments (15 broilers per pen with four replicate pens per treatment) were included: (1) control, (2) 2% red ginseng marc, (3) 1% fermented red ginseng marc with red koji, and (4) 2% liquid red ginseng. There were no significant differences in HDL and LDL-cholestrol among treatments (P > 0.05), but total cholesterol and triglyceride decreased in diets supplemented with red ginseng marc and 1% fermented red ginseng marc with red koji compared to that in the control treatment (P < 0.05). In experiment 2 (38 d), a total of 240 Pekin ducks were randomly divided into 4 groups by dietary treatments (control, 1% fermented H. cordata powder with red koji, 1% fermented H. cordata pelleted with red koji, and 1% fermented H. cordata coated with red koji) with 4 replicates of 15 ducks in each group. Total cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were not affected by diet with various types of H. cordata. However, increase in HDL-cholesterol and decrease in LDL and VLDL-cholesterol were greater in treatments with different types of H. cordata than in the control treatments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, using various types of red ginseng marc and H. cordata in poultry diets was effective for increasing HDL-cholesterol and decreasing total, LDL, and VLDL-cholestrol or triglyceride.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of various types of fermented red ginseng marc with red koji to laying hens on eggshell and egg yolk quality characteristics. A total of 240 Hy-line Brown laying hens (40 wk of age) were randomly allotted to 24 pens (6 replicates per treatment and 10 laying hens per replicate). Experimental diets consisted of 4 treatments containing basal diet (control), 1% fermented red ginseng marc powder with red koji, 1% fermented red ginseng marc pelleted with red koji and 1% fermented red ginseng marc coated with red koji. During the 8-wk feeding trial, there were no significant differences in eggshell strength, eggshell thickness and eggshell color among the treatments, except for eggshell strength at 4 and 8 wk and eggshell thickness at 0 wk. In addition, no differences in egg yolk color and egg yolk index were found for all treatments throughout the 8-wk feeding period, except for egg yolk color at 0 wk. Thus, using various types of fermented red ginseng marc with red koji to laying hens did not improve eggshell and egg yolk quality characteristics.

Background : The Food industry is trying to replace many synthetic with surfactants with natural alternatives, mainly inspired by consumer’s demand. Saponins are water-soluble small amphiphilie molecules that can be isolated from various natural sources. Especially, concentrated red ginseng extract (CRGE) contains saponins (called as ginsenoside) and they have been shown medical activities to help alleviate pathological symptoms, promote health and prevent potential diseases. In this study, we confirmed the effectiveness of this natural emulsifier for forming and properties of emulsions containing those. Methods and Results : CRGE was supplied D company, located in Geumsan. We examined the interfacial tension, emulsifying activity, fat globule size, dispersion stability, zeta-potential, microscopic observation. The interfacial tension decreased gradually with increasing CRGE concentration. In emulsion systems, as the concentration increases, fat globules sizes also becomes smaller as well as result of dispersion stability evaluated by separation analyzer (i.e., LUMiFuge) showed that it was more stable in emulsions with increasing CRGE concentration. CRGE-coated droplets were stable to droplet coalescence over a range of pH value (2 - 9), salt concentrations (0 - 500 mM NaCl). However, some flocculation was observed under highly acidic (pH 3) and high ionic strength (≧ 400 mM NaCl) conditions, which might be attributed to screening of electrostatic repulsion. Especially, CRGE-coated droplets had high negative charged at basic pH that decreased in magnitude with falling pH. Conclusion : Thus, CRGE have some emulsifying properties as well as medical activities. The results means that emulsions formed with CRGE may be able to replace synthetic surfactants in food industry.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, induces toxicity in cells and in experimental animals. Ginseng extracts were evaluated to determine whether they can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity. The antioxidant activity of fresh ginseng extract (WGE), dried white ginseng extract (DGE), and dried red ginseng extract (RGE) was measured using the DPPH assay. WGE and RGE increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Cell viability was measured in HepG2 cells following treatment with BPA and ginseng extracts using the MTT assay. DGE and RGE increased HepG2 cell viability following treatment with 200 μM BPA. RGE reduced levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that increased in mice following treatment with BPA. In addition, the regeneration and proliferation of damaged liver cells were significantly increased in RGE-treated mice. Moreover, RGE inhibited hepatic fibrosis in the surrounding area and in the central vein of the liver microstructure. RGE also significantly inhibited BPA-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, RGE protected liver damage and regenerated liver tissues in BPA-treated animals. These results show that RGE may represent a potential candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of liver damage caused by environmental toxins.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of red ginseng drinks as school meal drinks for 456 middle and high school students in Cheongdo-gun, North Gyeongsang Province. In preliminary studies, we focused on saponin with an efficacy of Rg 1 and Rg 2 in prepared red ginseng drinks. The health benefits and sensory characteristics were also investigated. For the frequency analysis, the satisfaction of the drinks as beverages serving as a school meal was relatively low, and the demand for fruit drinks was high. The result of sensory evaluations indicated a positive response of > 50.0% for the container packaging and design, daily intake, and tastes. Regarding the correlation analysis on red ginseng drinks, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) in the response to packaging (a daily intake) and design. In addition, health and learning benefits showed a very high correlation at the p < 0.01 significance level.

백삼과 홍삼의 추출수율은 각각 33.56%와 48.79%로 홍 삼의 추출수율이 높았고, 산성다당체의 경우 1~4차 추출단 계까지는 홍삼군이 백삼군보다 높았으나, 5차 추출단계에 서 백삼군이 6차 추출단계에서는 홍삼군이 높게 나타났다. 백삼과 홍삼의 추출단계별 농축액의 조사포닌 함량은 백삼 (56.44 mg/g)에 비해 홍삼(53.15 mg/g)이 약 5.8 % 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이들을 혼합한 선택적 홍삼농축액 모델 4종의 기호도 평가 결과 1, 2, 6차 추출물이 혼합된 RGB-4가 가장 높은 기호도를 나타내었고 시판 홍삼 농축액 3종에 대해 비교한 결과에서도 RGB-4가 쓴맛, 떫은맛, 인삼향 강도가 약해지 고 종합적 기호도에서 높은 평가를 받았다. 본 실험에서는 추출방법을 달리 함으로써 추출수율 및 조사포닌 함량을 감안하여 인삼 쓴맛과 향의 강도를 낮출 수 있다는 것을 확인하였다. 이 추출방법을 이용하여 쓴맛 을 저감시키고 인삼향미의 강도를 저감시킨 제품을 개발하 여 좀 더 편하고 자연스럽게 홍삼제품을 접할 수 있도록 더 많은 연구가 진행 되어야 할 것이다.

Background : Korean Red Ginseng has been reported to have various anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation and immune-regulating activity. However, Korean Red Ginseng Crude Saponin (KRGCS) effect on Pulmonary inflammation has been insufficient research. We have investigated the effect of KRGCS on pulmonary inflammation in mouse model. Methods and Results : Pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BALB/c mice. 100uL (ratio 1:1) of CSC (4mg/mL) and LPS (100ug/mL) solution instilled with intratracheal injection once per a week for 3 weeks in mice. KRGCS was also administered orally a dose of 10mg/kg and 25mg/kg for 3 weeks. KRGCS treatment groups decreased the number of inflammatory total cells in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the number of neutrophils in BALF dropped more than negative control groups. Additionally, KRGCS reduced the absolute number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in BALF, and the number of CD11b+ Gr-1+cells in the lung and BALF. Furthermore, we found that KRGCS declined significantly the level of the cytokine chemokine (C-X-C motif)-1 (CXCL-1), Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in BALF. Conclusion : These results that KRGCS has an inhibitory effects on pulmonary inflammation such as COPD, may be a candidate of effective herbal pharmaceuticals for the cure of lung diseases.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of soil microbial agent with red ginseng marc on growth of watermelon during 5 months. The three treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design with four replicates per plot. After 1 week in planting dates, the growth of watermelon (full length, stem thichness, leaf length and lead width) showed no significant difference in all treatments. During elongation stage (20 days), soil microbial agent with red ginseng marc was increased by 5% in leaf thickness (May 23) and 7~14% in leaf length (May 16 and 23) when compared to other treatments. For changes in fruit bearing thickness, there were no differences among treatments. Characteristics of watermelon in harvest season have an effect on harvest and length, stalk length, naval length, weight, sugar content and yield, except for harvest and width. In particular, yields increased with treatments with two soil microbial agent (7~12%), indicating that soil microbial agent with red ginseng marc showed higher yield than the other treatments. In conclusion, red ginseng marc-treated soil microbial agents have a positive effect on the harvest season of watermelon and can provide useful information for the selection of the functional microbial properties and the registration of microbial fertilizer.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of red ginseng marc powder on egg freshness in laying hens during 4 weeks. A total of 60 Hy-line Brown laying hens, 50 week of age, were randomly assigned to 2 groups with diets containing 0% and 2% red ginseng marc powder. There were 3 replications per group with 10 laying hens per pen. Throughout the period of the trial, there were no effects of red ginseng marc powder on egg weight (but not 4 weeks). Haugh Unit (HU) values were observed by showing significant differences between red ginseng marc powder and controls at 0 and 4 weeks, except for HU at 1 through 3 weeks. For egg yolk color, red ginseng marc powder has no difference in comparison with controls at 0, 3 and 4 weeks (but not 1 and 2 weeks). In conclusion, the dietary supplementation with 2% red ginseng marc powder improved HU values throughout the experiment.

본 연구에서 사용한 홍삼 전분은 홍삼 농축액 제조 공정에서 발생하는 부산물중 하나로 현재까지는 특별한 활용도가 없었다. 하지만 홍삼 농축액 제조 과정에서 발생되는 홍삼 유래의 물질로 홍삼의 유효 성분인 진세노사이드 및 각종 유리당, 탄수화물 등이 풍부한 안전한 소재로서의 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 홍삼전분을 이용한 새로운 홍삼막걸리의 차별화를 위하여 제품의 진세노사이드 함량, 유기산, 유리당, 효모수 등을 분석하였다. 효모 생균수의 변화 조사결과 4℃에서 저장하였을 때는 저장 20일까지 효모 균수에 큰 변화가 없었지만 25℃ 저장에서는 저장 20일에 초기 효모균수의 약 75%가 감소되었다. 유기산분석 결과 막걸리에서는 lactic acid가 4.16 mg/mL의 농도로 가장 많았으며, 그 다음으로는 citric acid 0.88 mg/mL, malic acid 0.39 mg/mL의 순서로 많았다. 저장 초기에는 malic acid의 함량이 4℃ 및 25℃에서 0.39 mg/mL 와 0.58 mg/mL 이었으나 저장일이 20일 경과하였을 때에는 0.46 mg/mL 그리고 0.17 mg/mL으로 측정되었고 대부분의 유기산은 저장기간에 관계없이 변화가 크게 나타나지 않았으나 butyric acid는 증가를 보였다. 20일 경에 lactic acid와 isobutyric acid는 감소하였으며 다른 종류의 유기산은 증가를 보였다. 유리당 분석결과 glucose가 4.4 mg/mL, sucrose 2.8 mg/mL 그리고 mannose 1.4 mg/mL 으로 막걸리의 주 구성당으로 분석되었으며 저장기간이 지속되면서 sucrose, glucose, mannose의 함량은 감소를 보여 알콜 발효의 주요 기질로 사용되었음을 보여주었다. 저장 4~8일 이후부터는 당이 급격히 감소하였으며 8일 이후부터는 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이것은 저장 중 당분이 알콜과 탄산가스로 분해되었기 때문에 함량이 감소한 보여진다. 4℃에서 저장시, 일반적인 유통기간보다(10일) 긴 20일 동안 유리당의 변화를 보였으며 유리당은 12일 경에 sucrose, glucose와 mannose의 양은 1/2으로 감소하였다. 총산 및 pH 분석결과 각 저장온도에서 저장기간에 따른 pH의 변화는, 4℃에서 저장한 경우, 저장 4일경 pH 4.3에서 8일경 pH 3.8로 떨어지면서 저장기간 동안 서서히 감소되었다. 25℃에서 저장한 경우, pH 4.6~3.2 수준으로 4℃ 저장 온도보다 25℃ 온도에서 pH가 낮게 관찰 되었고 진세노사이드 분석결과 함량은 2.47 mg/g으로 측정되었다.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of mixed Korean red ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate on gas concentration and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in poultry litter during 4 weeks in terms of livestock and environment managements. A total of 240 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatments in four replications and 15 birds per replicate. The four treatments was mixed to rice hull under each pen at 0, 10 g or 20 g red ginseng marc + 90g aluminum sulfate, and 100g aluminum sulfate per kg poultry litter (rice hulls). Carbon dioxide, methane, acetic acid, and propionic acids were measured weekly. The results that could be available include: First, during the experimental period, carbon dioxide emissions were not remarkably different among treatments. Second, no differences were observed among treatments in methane emissions at 2 weeks through 4 weeks, but at 1 week, the reduction in methane emissions was in following order: 100 g aluminum sulfate > 20 g red ginseng marc + 90 g aluminum sulfate > 10 g red ginseng marc + 90 g aluminum sulfate > control. Third, in spite of statistically differences, treatment with 10 g or 20 g red ginseng marc + 90g aluminum sulfate, and 100g aluminum sulfate reduced acetic acid and propionic acid as a function of time, except acetic acid in aluminum sulfate treatment at 2 and 4 weeks. In conclusion, the results indicated that like aluminum sulfate, using 10 g or 20 g red ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate was effective in decreasing methane and propionic acid released from poultry litter.