Large scale culture of ginseng adventitious roots for production of ginsenosides

Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2009:113:151-76. doi: 10.1007/10_2008_31.

Abstract

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is one of the most famous oriental medicinal plants used as crude drugs in Asian countries, and now it is being used worldwide for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Among diverse constituents of ginseng, saponins (ginsenosides) have been found to be major components responsible for their biological and pharmacological actions. On the other hand, difficulties in the supply of pure ginsenosides in quantity prevent the development of ginseng for clinical medicines. Cultivation of ginseng in fields takes a long time, generally 5-7 years, and needs extensive effort regarding quality control since growth is susceptible to many environmental factors including soil, shade, climate, pathogens and pests. To solve the problems, cell and tissue cultures have been widely explored for more rapid and efficient production of ginseng biomass and ginsenosides. Recently, cell and adventitious root cultures of P. ginseng have been established in large scale bioreactors with a view to commercial application. Various physiological and engineering parameters affecting the biomass production and ginsenoside accumulation have been investigated. Advances in adventitious root cultures including factors for process scale-up are reviewed in this chapter. In addition, biosafety analyses of ginseng adventitious roots are also discussed for real application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / pharmacology
  • Bioreactors
  • Cyclopentanes / pharmacology
  • Ginsenosides / biosynthesis*
  • Ginsenosides / isolation & purification
  • Indoleacetic Acids / pharmacology
  • Oxylipins / pharmacology
  • Panax / cytology
  • Panax / drug effects
  • Panax / metabolism*
  • Plant Cells / drug effects
  • Plant Cells / metabolism*
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology
  • Plant Roots / cytology
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / metabolism*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Republic of Korea
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Cyclopentanes
  • Ginsenosides
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Oxylipins
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • indoleacetic acid
  • methyl jasmonate