Application of probiotic bacteria in ginsenoside bioconversion and enhancing its health-promoting benefits: a review

Ginseng (Panax) is a perennial herb with medicinal properties found in Asia and North America. Ginseng extracts contain several compounds, such as ginsenosides, which have therapeutic properties and have been extensively studied. Because of their deglycosylated nature, minor ginsenosides exhibit more potent bioactive properties than their parent ginsenosides. However, untreated ginseng extracts contain low levels of bioactive minor ginsenosides. Thus, converting major ginsenosides to minor ginsenosides using various methods, including microbial bioconversion, is required. Probiotic bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are safe and excellent agents for bioconverting ginsenosides. Numerous studies have demonstrated the application of probiotic bacteria to produce minor ginsenosides; however, a comprehensive discussion focusing on using probiotics in ginsenoside bioconversion has been lacking. Therefore, this review investigates the application of probiotic bacteria to produce minor ginsenosides. Moreover, improving the health-promoting properties of ginseng with the help of probiotics is also reviewed.