Abstract

Chemical components of Panax (P) species were compared. p. species used were Korean white ginseng, Korean, Chinese and Japanese red ginseng (P ginseng), American and Canadian ginseng (P. quinquefolium) , and sanchl ginseng (P. notoginseng). No significant difference in the proximate contents was observed among P. species. Ash, crude lipld and total sugar contents in root of P. notoginseng were found to be relatively lower than those of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolium, but the contents of crude protein and crude fiber were similar among those ginsengs. Mineral nutrient con tents showed a little difference among ginseng species. Total nitrogen contents were slightly higher in P. ginseng than P. quinquefolium and P. notoginseng and Fe and Cu were lower in Chinese and Japanese red ginsengs. Kinds and compositions of amino acids were similar but contents of amino acids were different among ginseng species. Total amino acid contents were 76.3∼83.9 mg/g in P. ginseng 53.8∼60.4 mg/g in p. quinquefolium and 54.9 mg/g in P notoginseng. Free sugar contents were lower in P. notoginseng than P. ginseng or P. quinquefolium. Sucrose accounted for 90∼92% of total free sugar contents with relatively high content in white ginsengs, while sucrose and maltose were 32-36% and 55∼60%, respectively, in red ginseng.

Keywords

• Panax species;
• proximate composition;
• mineral nutrient;
• amino acid;
• free sugar