Transformation of Ginsenosides Rb1 and Re from Panax ginseng by Food Microorganisms

Ginsenosides Rb1 and Re, respectively belonging to the major protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, were transformed using cell-free extracts from food microorganisms. Rb1 was transformed into compound K via Rd and F2 by Bifidobacterium sp. Int57, Bif. sp. SJ32, Aspergillus niger and A.␣usamii. Lactobacillus delbrueckii, and Leuconostoc paramesenteroides transformed Rb1 into Rh2 via Rd and F2. Bifidobacterium sp. SH5 transformed Rb1 into F2 via Rd. Re was transformed into Rh1 via Rg2 by Bif. sp. Int57 and Bif. sp. SJ32. A. niger transformed Re into Rh1 via Rg1. A. usamii transformed Re into Rg2. Transformation of Rb1 proceeded at a higher rate and needed less amount of enzymes than that of Re. Taken together, these processes would allow a specific bioconversion process possible to obtain specific ginsenosides using an appropriate combination of ginsenoside substrates and specific microbial enzymes.