Comparison of red ginseng ratio and saponin contents from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Panax quinquefolium L.

Saponin and ginsenosides are very important as medicinal components of ginseng. These components are significantly different according to Panax species, cultivation area, or manufactured products. In this research, we comparatively analyzed the characteristics of saponin component of red ginseng which was processed from six-year-old Korean ginseng and American ginseng according to the degrees, Chunsam, Jisam and Yangsam. Processed red ginseng yield of American ginseng (34.2%) was higher than that of Korean ginseng (30.4%). However, Jiksam ratio of processed ginseng of Korean ginseng (77.2%) was higher than that of American ginseng (73.8%). Crude saponin and total ginsenosides contents of processed red ginseng from American ginseng was significantly higher than those from Korean ginseng regardless of degree. Saponin contents of Korean ginseng and American ginseng were decreased according to the degrees, from Chunsam to Yangsam. Panaxadiol saponin contents of Korean ginseng and American ginseng were Rb1>Rc>Rb2>Rd and Rb1>Rd>Rc>Rb2, respectively. Panaxatriol saponin contents of Korean ginseng were Rg1>Re>Rf>Rg2, and those of American ginseng were Rg1>Re>Rg2. The Rf was not detected from American ginseng. Both of crude saponin and total ginsenoside contents in Korean ginseng and American ginseng were higher than those in low quality ginsengs, Misam or Japsam. Therefore, it is conceivable that the absolute contents of saponin should not be used for the quality evaluation of Korean ginseng. Saponin and ginsenosides are very important as medicinal components of ginseng. These components are significantly different according to Panax species, cultivation area, or manufactured products. In this research, we comparatively analyzed the characteristics of saponin component of red ginseng which was processed from six-year-old Korean ginseng and American ginseng according to the degrees, Chunsam, Jisam and Yangsam. Processed red ginseng yield of American ginseng (34.2%) was higher than that of Korean ginseng (30.4%). However, Jiksam ratio of processed ginseng of Korean ginseng (77.2%) was higher than that of American ginseng (73.8%). Crude saponin and total ginsenosides contents of processed red ginseng from American ginseng was significantly higher than those from Korean ginseng regardless of degree. Saponin contents of Korean ginseng and American ginseng were decreased according to the degrees, from Chunsam to Yangsam. Panaxadiol saponin contents of Korean ginseng and American ginseng were Rb1>Rc>Rb2>Rd and Rb1>Rd>Rc>Rb2, respectively. Panaxatriol saponin contents of Korean ginseng were Rg1>Re>Rf>Rg2, and those of American ginseng were Rg1>Re>Rg2. The Rf was not detected from American ginseng. Both of crude saponin and total ginsenoside contents in Korean ginseng and American ginseng were higher than those in low quality ginsengs, Misam or Japsam. Therefore, it is conceivable that the absolute contents of saponin should not be used for the quality evaluation of Korean ginseng.