Making and Optimizing Ginseng Compounds Using a Helpful Fungus

Greg Howard
6th March, 2025

Making and Optimizing Ginseng Compounds Using a Helpful Fungus

Morphological characteristics (a, b) together with ITS rDNA phylogenetic analysis (c) confirm that the isolated soil fungus is correctly identified as Aspergillus tubingensis, supporting its use as the biocatalyst responsible for the observed ginsenoside transformations in the study.

Image adapted from: Li et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • In China, scientists used a special fungus to transform common ginseng compounds into more beneficial forms
  • This process produced 15 enhanced ginsenosides, which have stronger health and anti-tumor benefits
  • The efficient method allows for larger-scale production, making these powerful compounds more available for medicines and supplements
Ginsenosides, the active compounds found in Panax ginseng, are renowned for their health benefits, including anti-aging and immune-boosting properties. While major ginsenosides like Rb1 and Rg1 are abundant in ginseng, minor ginsenosides such as Rg3 and Rh2 have shown enhanced pharmacological effects but are present in very low quantities naturally. This scarcity limits their use in clinical applications and functional products. Researchers at Kunming University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Yunnan Key Laboratory and Foshan University, addressed this challenge by exploring a biological method to increase the production of minor ginsenosides[1]. Their study focused on the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis, which has the ability to transform major ginsenosides into a variety of minor forms. This approach builds on previous work that utilized different microorganisms for similar transformations[2][3][4]. In their experiments, the team incubated major ginsenosides extracted from Panax notoginseng with Aspergillus tubingensis. Using analytical techniques such as Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), they identified the production of 15 minor ginsenosides, including (R/S)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5. These transformations involved processes like isomerization, hydrolysis, and dehydration, which modify the chemical structure of the ginsenosides to enhance their bioactivity. The researchers also optimized the conditions for this biotransformation process. By adjusting the temperature and pH, they improved the efficiency of the crude enzyme extracted from Aspergillus tubingensis, which has a molecular weight of 66 kDa. These optimizations are crucial for maximizing yield and ensuring that the transformation process is both effective and scalable for potential industrial applications. This study is significant because it offers an environmentally friendly and efficient method to produce minor ginsenosides, bypassing the need for extraction from ginseng plants, which are limited in supply. Previous research has highlighted similar strategies using different fungi and biotechnological approaches to increase minor ginsenoside production[2][4]. However, the use of Aspergillus tubingensis introduces a new avenue for producing a broader range of minor ginsenosides, potentially enhancing the medicinal value of Panax notoginseng. Moreover, the ability to produce these compounds in larger quantities opens up new possibilities for their incorporation into pharmaceuticals and health supplements. Minor ginsenosides are being studied for their superior bioavailability and potency compared to their major counterparts, making them attractive candidates for developing advanced therapeutic agents[3]. The findings from this research not only demonstrate the effective use of Aspergillus tubingensis in transforming ginsenosides but also contribute to the broader field of ginseng biotechnology. By expanding the toolkit of microorganisms capable of producing minor ginsenosides, the study supports ongoing efforts to optimize and scale up the production of these valuable compounds[2][3]. This advancement aligns with the growing demand for high-quality ginseng products and reinforces ginseng's position as a top medicinal herb globally. In conclusion, the study by researchers at Kunming University of Science and Technology and their collaborators provides a robust method for enhancing the production of minor ginsenosides through fungal biotransformation. This advancement addresses the critical issue of low natural abundance of these potent compounds, paving the way for their increased use in medical and health-related applications.

BiochemPlant ScienceMycology

References

Main Study

1) The transformation pathways and optimization of conditions for preparation minor ginsenosides from Panax notoginseng root by the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis

Published 3rd March, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316279

Related Studies

2) Highly efficient production of diverse rare ginsenosides using combinatorial biotechnology.

https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.27325

3) A literature update elucidating production of Panax ginsenosides with a special focus on strategies enriching the anti-neoplastic minor ginsenosides in ginseng preparations.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8279-4

4) Highly Regioselective Biotransformation of Protopanaxadiol-type and Protopanaxatriol-type Ginsenosides in the Underground Parts of Panax notoginseng to 18 Minor Ginsenosides by Talaromyces flavus.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c00557


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