Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2000-12-01

Enzymatic preparation of genuine prosapogenin, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh1, from ginsenosides Re and Rg1.

S R Ko, Y Suzuki, K J Choi, Y H Kim

Index: Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 64(12) , 2739-43, (2000)

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Abstract

It was found that a lactase preparation from Penicillium sp. nearly quantitatively hydrolyzed ginsenosides Re and Rg1, which are major saponins in roots of Panax ginseng, to a minor saponin, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh1 [6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxatriol]. This is the first report on the enzymatic preparation of ginsenoside Rh1 with a high efficiency. This enzyme also readily hydrolyzed ginsenoside Rg2 to ginsenoside Rh1.