Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative in vitro Ginsenoside Production in Callus Cultures of Three Panax Species

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative difference in the various ginsenoside constituents of the crude butanol-soluble saponin fractions of callus cultures of two Indian species of Panax namely P. sikkimensis and P. pseudoginseng have been compared with that of P. quinquefolium (American ginseng). The 45-50 days old calli of the two Indian species, though found to accumulate crude ginsenoside at levels (0.9% and 1.1%, respectively) comparable to that in P. quinquefolium (1.2%), P. pseudoginseng callus showed high productivity of ginsenosides Rf (40.57%) and Ro (19.60%). P. quinquefolium calli on the other hand accumulated more of Rb and Rg group of ginsenosides but while the former appeared to be a Rg₂ accumulator the callus of the later was rich in the Rg₁ fraction.