Optimized Extraction of Ginsenosides from Ginseng Root (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) by Pulsed Electric Field Combined with Commercial Enzyme

Ginsenosides are the major active components in ginseng, which has been widely used for treatment diseases. In this study, the effects of pulsed electric fields (PEF) combined with commercial enzyme (CPEF) on the extraction of total saponin from ginseng root were investigated. The commercial -glucosidase was more efficient for extracting total saponin under PEF treatment. Response surface methodology was carried out to optimize the yield of total saponin under CPEF treatment. The experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation. Optimal treatment conditions were as follows: electric field intensity 15 kV/cm, pulse number 10 and enzyme concentration 2% (w/w). Under these conditions, the validated experimental yield of total saponin was 38.15 mg/g, matching well with the predicted value. The extraction speed of CPEF treatment is much faster, and the yield of total saponin is higher compared with traditional methods. Practical ApplicationsPanax ginseng C.A. Meyer (ginseng) is a well-known traditional medicinal plant. Ginsenosides are the most important secondary metabolites in ginseng and have various pharmacological activities. In the present study, pulsed electric field combined with commercial enzyme was applied to the extraction of total saponin from ginseng root. The results indicated that CPEF treatment can be an effective method to extract total saponin with nonthermal performance, high efficiency and lower energy consumption.