Influence of root age on the concentration of ginsenosides of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)

Abstract

The influence of root age on the ginsenosides and root weight of Panax quinquefolium was investigated. Root weight, and the ginsenosides Rb1, mRb1, Re and Ro increased with the age of the root. Differences obtained for the ginsenosides Rb2, mRb2, Rc, mRc, Rd, mRd, Rg1, and gypenoside XVII with the age of the root were small. It was found that ginseng harvested after only 3 yr contained lower amounts of ginsenosides than ginseng harvested after 4 yr. Keywords: Ginseng, ginsenosides, root age, root weight