Optimum Conversion of Major Ginsenoside Rb1 to Minor Ginsenoside Rg3(S) by Pulsed Electric Field-Assisted Acid Hydrolysis Treatment

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rg3(S) is a primary bioactive component in ginseng, which has pharmacological effects and nutritional activities. In the present study, pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted acid hydrolysis processing was used to convert major ginsenoside Rb1 to minor ginsenoside Rg3(S). The optimum parameters of PEF assisted acid hydrolysis were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum processing conditions were: electric field intensity, 20 kVcm-1; acid concentration, 0.25 mol/L; pulse number, 10. The conversion rate of ginsenoside Rg3(S) achieved 68.58%, in accordance to the predicted value. The structure of hydrolyzed product was confirmed by 13C-NMR. The results suggested that PEF-assisted acid hydrolysis significantly enhanced conversion rate of ginsenoside Rg3(S).