Variation in ginsenoside content and composition within the American ginseng population

The contents of 57 ginsenosides were measured in American ginseng roots collected from a single population grown in Jilin. Ginsenoside contents and compositions varied significantly among the population. The most abundant ginsenoside within the American ginseng root and by population was either Rg₁ or Re, followed by Rb₁, mal-Rb₁, Rd, Rc, pseudoginsenoside F₁₁, Ro, and gypenoside XVII. According to the relative contents of Rg₁ and Re, the population was grouped into two chemotypes, and there were significant differences in ginsenoside profiles between them. The contents of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides were relatively stable. The rate-limiting enzymes of malonyl ginsenosides biosynthesis were located in front of their corresponding neutral ginsenosides. The regulatory sites of the oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides biosynthetic pathway were in front of the β-amyrin.