Effects of screw configuration on chemical properties and ginsenosides content of extruded ginseng

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of screw configuration on chemical properties and ginsenosides content of extruded ginseng and to select the most suitable screw configuration for the processing of ginseng. METHOD: The extrusion conditions were set as follows: moisture content (20%), barrel temperature (140°C), screw speed (200 rpm), and feeding rate (100 g/min). RESULT: The extruded ginseng of screw configuration 6 has the highest DPPH free radical scavenging rate, reducing power and total phenol, which is the most suitable configuration for the development of ginseng extract products. In addition, the extruded ginseng of screw configuration 9 has the highest content of total saponin, and the content of rare ginsenoside Rg3 which is scarcely present in the ginseng raw material powder was significantly increased. This intended that twin‐screw extrusion process enables the mutual conversion between ginsenosides and rare ginsenoside Rg3 had achieved. CONCLUSION: The extrusion process promotes the development and utilization of ginseng and provides theoretical basis for the design and development of screw configuration of twin‐screw extruded ginseng.