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High Throughput Co-culture Assays for the Investigation of Microbial Interactions
Published on: October 15, 2019
Interactions between various microbes and ginseng botanicals.
V H Tournas1, J S Kohn, E J Katsoudas
1Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, USA. valerie.tournas@fda.hhs.gov
Critical Reviews in Microbiology
|January 25, 2011
Summary
Ginseng interacts with microbes through spoilage, beneficial transformation of compounds, and antimicrobial activity. These interactions highlight ginseng
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacognosy
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Ginseng botanicals are utilized in traditional medicine and health supplements.
- Microbial interactions can affect the quality and efficacy of botanical products.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing ginseng utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted interactions between ginseng botanicals and microorganisms.
- To identify specific microbial species involved in ginseng degradation and transformation.
- To assess the antimicrobial properties of ginseng constituents against various pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Microbiological culture techniques to identify spoilage organisms.
- Biochemical assays to detect ginsenoside transformation.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against selected bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Main Results:
- Identified fungal and bacterial species responsible for ginseng spoilage.
- Demonstrated microbial transformation of ginsenosides into potentially more bioactive compounds by specific bacterial and fungal strains.
- Confirmed inhibitory effects of ginseng constituents against pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (e.g., Candida albicans), and viruses.
Conclusions:
- Ginseng-microbe interactions are complex, involving degradation, biotransformation, and antimicrobial activities.
- Specific microorganisms can enhance the bioactivity of ginseng compounds.
- Ginseng exhibits potential as a natural antimicrobial agent.
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