Transformation Techniques for the Large Scale Production of Ginsenoside Rg3

• Published in: Hanʼguk Yakyong Changmul Hakhoe chi Vol. 21; no. 5
• Main Authors: Nam, K.Y., Chungnam National University, Daejon, Republic of korea, Choi, J.E, Park, J.D., International Ginseng and Herb Research Institute, Geumsan, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Ginsenoside Rg3, Acid Hydrolysis, Microbial, Enzymatic Transformation; PANAX PSEUDOGINSENG
• ISSN: 1225-9306

Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) contained only in red ginseng has been found to show various pharmacological effects such as an anticancer, antiangiogenetic, antimetastastic, liver protective, neuroprotective immunomodulating, vasorelaxative,antidiabetic, insulin secretion promoting and antioxidant activities. It is well known that G-Rg3 could be divided into 20(R)-Rg3 and 20(S)-Rg3 according to the hydroxyl group attached to C-20 of aglycone, whose structural characteristics show different pharmacological activities. It has been reported that G-Rg3 is metabolized to G-Rh2 and protopanaxadiol by the conditions of the gastric acid or intestinal bacteria, thereby these metabolites could be absorbed, suggesting its absolute bioavailability (2.63%) to be very low. Therefore, we reviewed the chemical, physical and biological transformation methods for the production on a large scale of G-Rg3 with various pharmacological effects. We also examined the influence of acid and heat treatment-induced potentials on for the preparation method of higher G-Rg3 content in ginseng and ginseng products. Futhermore, the microbial and enzymatic bio-conversion technologies could be more efficient in terms of high selectivity, efficiency and productivity. The present review discusses the available technologies for G-Rg3 production on a large scale using chemical and biological transformation.