DETERMINATION OF GINSENOSIDE RF AND RG(2) FROM PANAX-GINSENG USING ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY

We have developed an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to quantify trace amount s of ginsenoside Rf (Rf), one of the glycosides of protopanaxatriol fr om Panax ginseng. A carrier protein of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was coupled to the carbohydrate component of Rf using the periodate oxidat ion method. Antibodies were raised in rabbits using Rf-BSA conjugate a s the immunogen and competitive indirect EIA was used for the determin ation of Rf, The working range was 0.01-10 ng per assay, The anti-Rf a ntiserum cross-reacted with ginsenoside Rg(2) (105%), which is also a component of Panax ginseng and has a very similar chemical structure t o Rf, These results suggest that the anti-Rf antiserum could also he u sed for the quantitation of ginsenoside Rg(2) as well as ginsenoside R f, In a comparison of EIA and HPLC the Linear regression equation and correlation coefficient for the two methods were y(EIA) = 1.31x (HPLC) -11.48 and 0.98, respectively.