Cluster analysis of ginseng tissue cultures, dynamic change of growth, total saponins, specific oxygen uptake rate in bioreactor and immuno-regulative effect of ginseng adventitious root

In order to identify ginsenoside composition in native ginseng, cell, hairy root and adventitious root, the ESI-MSn analysis was performed. Rg1, Re, Ro, Malonyl-Rb1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd were identified from ginseng tissue cultures on the basis of LC–MSn analysis. The content of total saponins in adventitious root was much higher than that in other tissue cultures. Cluster analysis showed that the quality of adventitious root was mostly similar with native ginseng. During the 5 l bioreactor culture of ginseng adventitious root, the maximum dry weight and total saponin were achieved on day 40 and 30, respectively. Specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) increased quickly within the first 10 days. After day 10, SOUR showed a sharp drop and was almost zero after 20 days. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and the proliferation of splenocytes from mice in response to concanavalin A (ConA) were used to evaluate the effects of native ginseng root (NGR) and ginseng adventitious root (GAR) on cellular immune response. As the result, GAR possessed a similar cellular immuno-regulation as NGR had.

► Eight major ginsenosides were identified from ginseng tissue cultures.
► Quality of adventitious root was mostly similar with native ginseng.
► Native ginseng and adventitious root exhibited a similar immunoregulatory effect.