Physiological and chemical characteristics of field-and mountain-cultivated ginseng roots

Abstract

Demand is increasing for mountain-cultivated Panax ginseng (MCG) because its quality is considered superior to that of fieldcultivated ginseng (FCG). However, MCG grows very slowly, and the factors that might affect this are unknown. In addition, little information is available about the physiological characteristics of its roots. Here, we investigated local soil environments and compared the histological and chemical properties of MCG and FCG roots. Average diameters, lengths, and fresh weights were much smaller in the former. Photosynthesis rates and root cambial activity also were reduced in the MCG tissues. Our analysis of soil from the mountain site revealed an extremely low phosphorus content, although those samples were ricINer in total nitrogen and organic matter than were the field soils. MCG roots also contained higher amounts of ginsenosides, and total accumulations increased with age. Moreover, ginsenoside Rh2, a red ginseng-specific compound, accumulated in the MCG roots but not in those from FCG plants. Interestingly, numerous calcium oxalate crystals were found in MCG roots, particularly in their rhizomes (i.e., short stems). Therefore, we can conclude from these results that low levels of the essential mineral phosphorus in mountain soils are a critical factor that retards the growth of mountain ginseng. Likewise, the high accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in MCG roots might be an adaptation mechanism for survival in such a harsh local environment.

Soil Chemical and Microbial Properties and its Relationship with the Root Growth of Panax ginseng

“…PC 3 was found to have positive correlation with available phosphorus but negative correlation with exchangeable calcium. This result can be associated to the study made by Choi et al (2007) which reported high calcium content but very low amount of phosphorus in ginseng cultivated mountain soils. In relation, the substrate that was highly utilized which contributed to PC 3 was β-methyl-D-glucoside while the substrates that were highly utilized which contributed to PC 2 were 2-hydroxy benzoic acid, α-D-lactose, L-phenylalanine, L-threonine, α-cyclodextrin glycogen and glycogen.…”

“…High available P in soils promotes good root development of ginseng. This can be associated with a study which reported that phosphorus content in soils is a major limiting factor in ginseng growth as low levels of essential mineral phosphorus retards the growth of ginseng in mountainous soils (Rao and Terry, 1989;Kirschbaum and Tompkins, 1990;Jacob and Lawlor, 1991;Choi et al, 2007). Aside from available P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and total CEC were also higher in soils collected from S2 than in soils collected from S1.…”

“…According to Khrolenko et al (2006), cultivated P. ginseng develops much faster than those naturally grown ginseng plants. Choi et al (2007) also stated that mountain-cultivated P. ginseng grows very slowly compared to field-cultivated P. ginseng. These results were mostly obtained by classification and characterization of various ginseng cultivation areas but only through physiological and chemical analysis.…”

Breast meat quality of broilers fed fermented red ginseng marc powder mixed with red-koji during storage

“…Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a slow-growing perennial plant (4 to 6 years), and it is distributed mainly in Korea, Japan, China, and the Maritime Province of Siberia and usually in subarctic and temperate regions (Choi et al, 2007;Zhuravlev et al, 2008). Ginseng has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years (Choi et al, 2011).…”

Polyacetylenes from the roots of cultivated-wild ginseng and their cytotoxicity in vitro

“…These polyacetylenes were shown to be cytotoxic (Matsunaga et al, 1990;Fujimoto et al, 1991), and anti-inflammatory (Lee et al, 2004;Ryu et al, 1998). Although ginsenosides and phenolic compounds have been isolated from Korean cultivated-wild ginseng (Jangnoisam) (Choi et al, 2007;Kim et al, 2006), there have been no studies of the nonsaponin constituents of Korean cultivated-wild ginseng (Jangnoisam). Therefore, we isolated seven polyacetylenes (1-7) by chromatography from the 70% EtOH extract of the roots of Korean cultivated-wild ginseng and tested their cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15) in vitro using the sulforhodamin B bioassay (SRB).…”