Biotransformation of Ginsenoside Rb1 to Prosapogenins, Gypenoside XVII, Ginsenoside Rd, Ginsenoside F2, and Compound K by Leuconostoc mesenteroides DC102

Ginsenoside Rb-1 is the main component in ginsenosides. It is a protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside that has a dammarane-type triterpenoid as an aglycone. In this study, ginsenoside Rb-1 was transformed into gypenoside XVII, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside F-2 and compound K by glycosidase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides DC102. The optimum time for the conversion was about 72 h at a constant pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and the optimum temperature was about 30 degrees C. Under optimal conditions, ginsenoside Rb-1 was decomposed and converted into compound K by 72 h post-reaction (99%). The enzymatic reaction was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, suggesting the transformation pathway: ginsenoside Rb-1 -> gypenoside XVII and ginsenoside Rd -> ginsenoside F-2 -> compound K.