Highly efficient production of diverse rare ginsenosides using combinatorial biotechnology

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Rare ginsenosides are functionalized molecules derived from Panax ginseng.
• Limited availability from wild sources restricts their use in functional foods and drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient combinatorial biotechnology approach for producing rare ginsenosides.
• To overcome the limitations of direct extraction from Panax plants.

Main Methods:

• Utilized methyl jasmonate-induced culture of adventitious roots in a 10L bioreactor.
• Employed enzymatic hydrolysis with six beta-glycosidases and their combinations.
• Applied immobilization techniques with BglPm and Bgp1 for yield enhancement.

Main Results:

• Produced Rh2 and nine other rare ginsenosides with yields from 5.54 to 32.66 mg L⁻¹.
• Achieved a 7% increase in Rh2 yield using immobilized enzymes, reaching 51.17 mg L⁻¹.
• Demonstrated the method's efficiency in producing diverse rare ginsenosides.

Conclusions:

• The combinatorial biotechnology method offers a highly efficient alternative to direct extraction of rare ginsenosides.
• This approach can supplement yeast cell factories for rare ginsenoside production.
• Facilitates broader application of rare ginsenosides in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.