GINSENOSIDES IN ROOTS AND LEAVES OF AMERICAN GINSENG

The six major ginsenosides, Rg(1), Re, Rb-1, Re, Rb-2, and Rd, in root s and leaves of American ginseng have been isolated and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. In 4-year-old roots, the main ginsenosides were Re and Rb-1, and together they accounted for >75% of the total ginsenosides. In leaves, the concentration and composition of ginsenosides varied with the maturity of the leaf tissue. One-month -old leaves contained 1.33-2.64 g ginsenoside/100 g dry weight, and th e ginsenoside Re accounted for >50% of the total concentration. In mat ure, 4-month-old leaves, the total ginsenoside content ranged from 4.1 4 to 5.58 g/100 g dry weight, and the ginsenosides Re and Rd each acco unted for similar to 40% of the total ginsenosides. The production sit e of ginseng influenced the ginsenoside contents of roots and leaves. However, few significant correlations were found between root and leaf ginsenosides and between ginsenoside levels and mineral composition o f the leaves and soil.