Ginseng Adulteration Across Global Markets and Evaluation of Commercial Product Authenticity

Abstract

Ginseng (Panax spp., Araliaceae) is one of the most widely consumed and researched herbal medicines worldwide. The main commercially used Panax species include Asian ginseng (P. ginseng), American ginseng (P. quinquefolius), and tienchi ginseng, also known as sanchi ginseng (P. notoginseng). The high demand, morphological similarities, and common name confusion contribute to both unintentional and economically motivated adulteration. Ginseng root and ginseng root extract adulteration occurs in many ways, such as the marketing of other plant species as ginseng, substitution with lower-cost species within the Panax genus, adulteration with undeclared aerial parts of ginseng, adding high amounts of undeclared excipients or fillers, and admixing previously extracted waste plant material to unextracted root materials. This review study aims to compile data on ginseng adulteration from studies assessing the authenticity of commercial samples across global markets, based on published results from genetic, chromatographic, and spectroscopic analyses. It also examines the main adulterants, variations in adulteration rates according to analytical methods, geographical regions, product types, regulatory status, points of sale, as well as trends observed over five-year periods. Forty-eight peer-reviewed publications reporting the authentication of a total of 911 ginseng commercial products were included. Findings of forty studies show that 211 of 853 commercial ginseng products were found to have authenticity problems (24.7%), mainly due to the substitution of the declared species with powdered roots or extracts from lower cost plants. Eight studies provided evidence for the presence of chemical adulterants, including conventional drugs used for erectile dysfunction or to lower blood sugar, in 28 of 58 ginseng products (48.3%). Results showed regional differences in mislabeling and adulteration rates and highlight the importance of educational efforts on the topic, fit-for-purpose testing methods, and adequate regulatory enforcement to ensure product authenticity.