Correlation analysis between free sugar and organic acid contents during growing period of sprout Ginseng

Background: Sprout ginseng is used not only for herbs but also for fresh vegetables and salads. Sprout ginseng is characterized by its short growth period of about 30~40 days. Even if sprout ginseng is used as a fresh vegetable, research on active ingredients should support the development of sprout ginseng. In this study, the contents of free sugar and organic acid were investigated for the growth period of sprout ginseng.

Methods and Results: On the cultivation of the plastic house, the box was filled with the substrates, and the seedling ginseng was planted. Free sugars and organic acid were measured for 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of growth of sprout ginseng. The leaves and roots of the sprout ginseng were dried and extracted, and the free sugars and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC. Total sugar content of sprout ginseng was 15.82~16.58% on dry weight. The contents of sucrose and glucose were high. Total organic acids content of ginseng were 7.06~9.94% on dry weight. The contents of galacturonic acid and succinic acid were high.

Conclusion: The total free sugar and organic acid of spout ginseng showed the tendency to decrease with the growing period. Sucrose, which was high in free sugars, showed a negative correlation with growth period and glucose showed a positive correlation. Galacturonic acid, which was high in organic acid, showed a negative correlation with growth period and succinic acid showed a positive correlation.