Microbial Conversion of Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ to Minor Ginsenoside $F_2$ and Gypenoside XVII by Intrasporangium sp. GS603 Isolated from Soil

A new strain, GS603, having ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity was isolated from soil of a ginseng field, and its ability to convert major ginsenoside $Rb_1$ to minor ginsenoside or gypenoside was studied. Strain GS603 was identified as an Intrasporangium species by phylogenetic analysis and showed high ginsenoside-converting activity in LB and TSA broth but not in nutrient broth. The culture broth of the strain GS603 could convert ginsenoside $Rb_1$i into two metabolites, which were analyzed by TLC and HPLC and shown to be the minor ginsenoside $F_2$ and gypenoside XVII by NMR.