Field cultivation and in vitro cultures, root-forming callus cultures and adventitious root cultures, of Panax quinquefolium as a source of ginsenosides.

ABSTRACT

The content of six ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Re) was studied in the roots of field-grown plants, as well as in root-forming callus cultures and adventitious root cultures of Panax quinquefolium using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest level of saponins was isolated from root hairs (128 mg/g dry weight). The examined in vitro culture synthesized all identified saponins, although in smaller amounts than those obtained from field cultivation. Metabolites Rb1 and Re dominated in the ginseng biomass from both field crops and in vitro culture.