Abstract

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) hairy root and ginseng (P. ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) root were steamed at 100°C for 3 h. Thereafter treatment, the content of ginsenosides, Rg1, Re, Ro, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd decreased. On the other hand, the content of ginsenosides, Rg3, Rg2 and Rh1 increased. Two previously identified anticancer ginsenosides, Rg3 and Rh2 increased significantly in steamed ginseng hairy roots from 0.017 to 1.14 mg/g and not detected to 0.74 mg/g, respectively. In steamed ginseng root, Rg3 increased from 0.0062 to 0.75 mg/g, and Rh2 was not detected. These results indicated that steaming process may provide an effective method for ginseng hairy roots to conversion polar ginsenosides to non-polar ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2.

Key words: Panax ginseng, ginseng hairy roots, steaming, chemical composition, ginsenosides.