Standardization of ginseng processing for maximizing the phytonutrients of ginseng

This study was designed to optimize the process conditions, such as steaming, drying, and extracting, for obtaining the maximum content of prosapogenin (Rg3, Rg2, Rh1, and Rh2) from red ginseng, which has antitumor and anti-cancer properties. The steaming process was performed in an autoclave and the drying and extracting processes were done in dryer and heat extractor, respectively, and content of each prosapogenin was analyzed by HPLC. In the steaming process, prosapogenin values did not show any significant increase at 80 or 90°C, but tended to increase sharply as the steaming period became longer at 100°C, and the maximum value was obtained at 100°C with 6 h of steaming without any significant difference between local Gyeonggi areas. Drying red ginseng at 70°C for 24 h was the optimal condition to enhance prosapogenin extraction without affecting the quality. Maximal crude saponin and prosapogenin contents were obtained using 70% ethanol as the solvent at 70°C in the extracting process. Using these standardization processes such as steaming, drying, and extraction, maximum prosapogenin values could be obtained at ginseng factories.