Simultaneous quantification of 19 ginsenosides in black ginseng developed from Panax ginseng by HPLC–ELSD

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC–ELSD) has been developed to identify and quantify 19 ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rd, F4, Rg6, Rk3, Rh4, 20(S)-, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-, 20(R)-Rs3, Rk1, Rg5, Rs4, and Rs5) in black ginseng (BG, Korean white ginseng that was subjected to nine cycles of steam treatment). Ultrasonication is employed for sample preparation, and the analysis is achieved on a Discovery C18 column using gradient elution of CH3CN–H2O–CH3COOH without buffer in 40 min. The method was validated by linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9994), precision (92.0–107.5%), intra- and inter-day accuracy (R.S.D. < 3.21%), and limit of detection (LOD ≤ 93 ng). The quantification method was applied to analyze the composition of ginsenosides in Korean white, red, and black ginsengs. During the preparatory process of BG, ginsenosides transform into constituents of low polarity by hydrolysis, isomerization, and dehydration at C-20, and hydrolysis also occurs at C-3 or C-6. The validated HPLC method is expected to provide the basis for the quality assessment of ginseng products.