Evaluation of ginsenoside bioconversion of lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi.

BACKGROUND

is a physiologically active plant widely used in traditional medicine that is characterized by the presence of ginsenosides. Rb1, a major ginsenoside, is used as the starting material for producing ginsenoside derivatives with enhanced pharmaceutical potentials through chemical, enzymatic, or microbial transformation.

METHODS

To investigate the bioconversion of ginsenoside Rb1, we prepared kimchi originated bacterial strains WiKim19, WiKim20, WiKim47 WiKim48, and WiKim49 and analyzed bioconversion products using LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

WiKim19 and WiKim20 converted ginsenoside Rb1 into the ginsenoside Rg3 approximately five times more than WiKim47 WiKim48, and WiKim49. WIKim19 showed positive correlation with β-glucosidase activity and higher transformation ability of ginsenoside Rb1 into Rg3 than the other strains whereas, WiKim20 showed an elevated production of Rb3 even with lack of β-glucosidase activity but have the highest acidity among the five lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

CONCLUSION

Ginsenoside Rg5 concentration of five LABs have ranged from ∼2.6 μg/mL to 6.5 μg/mL and increased in accordance with the incubation periods. Our results indicate that the enzymatic activity along with acidic condition contribute to the production of minor ginsenoside from lactic acid bacteria.