Comparing eight types of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages and regions using RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS

BACKGROUND: This article aims to compare and analyze the contents of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages from different localities in China. METHODS: In this study, 77 fresh ginseng samples aged 2–4 years were collected from 13 different cultivation regions in China. The content of eight ginsenosides (Rg(3), Rc, Rg(1), Rf, Rb(2), Rb(1), Re, and Rd) was determined using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole–time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) to comparatively evaluate the influences of cultivation region and age. RESULTS: Ginsenoside contents differed significantly depending on age and cultivation region. The contents of ginsenosides Re, Rc, Rg(1), Rg(3), and Rf increased with cultivation age, whereas that of ginsenoside Rb(1) peaked in the third year of cultivation. Moreover, the highest ginsenoside content was obtained from Changbai (19.36 mg/g) whereas the lowest content was obtained from Jidong (12.05 mg/g). Ginseng from Jilin Province contained greater total ginsenosides and was richer in ginsenoside Re than ginseng of the same age group in Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces, where Rb(1) and Rg(1) contents were relatively high. CONCLUSION: In this study, RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS was used to analyze ginsenoside contents in 77 ginseng samples aged 2–4 years from different cultivation regions. These patterns of variation in ginsenoside content, which depend on harvesting location and age, could be useful for interested parties to choose ginseng products according to their needs.