Biotransformation of Ginsenoside Rb(1) to Prosapogenins, Gypenoside XVII, Ginsenoside Rd, Ginsenoside F(2), and Compound K by Leuconostoc mesenteroides DC102

Ginsenoside Rb(1)is the main component in ginsenosides. It is a protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside that has a dammarane-type triterpenoid as an aglycone. In this study, ginsenoside Rb(1) was transformed into gypenoside XVII, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside F(2) and compound K by glycosidase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides DC102. The optimum time for the conversion was about 72 h at a constant pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and the optimum temperature was about 30℃. Under optimal conditions, ginsenoside Rb(1) was decomposed and converted into compound K by 72 h post-reaction (99%). The enzymatic reaction was analyzed by highperformance liquid chromatography, suggesting the transformation pathway: ginsenoside Rb(1)→ gypenoside XVII and ginsenoside Rd→ginsenoside F(2)→compound K.