Post-harvest treatment of wild-simulated ginseng under climate-smart environmental conditions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Wild-simulated ginseng (WSG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is prized for its unique ginsenoside profile and medicinal properties; however, traditional cultivation faces challenges, such as declining survival rates and prolonged growth periods. We aimed to develop an enhanced post-harvest treatment using climate-smart conditions to improve survival rates, boost root mass, and preserve the characteristic ginsenoside profile of WSG. Three-year-old WSG roots were transplanted and cultivated in a controlled smart facility in regulated light and irrigation conditions for five months using premium ginseng soil, a certified organic ginseng soil medium. Growth performance was monitored and ginsenoside profiles were analysed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Post-treatment, WSG exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in root weight and an overall survival rate of 97%. Total ginsenoside content reached 10.458 mg/g dried ginseng, with notably high levels of Re (7.716 mg/g) and the presence of rare compounds, such as Compound K and Rg3. The root-to-shoot ratio exceeded 1.23, indicating efficient resource allocation. These results demonstrate that climate-smart post-harvest treatment effectively enhances root development and maintains the medicinal quality of WSG, offering a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional cultivation and improve its commercial viability.
Source: PLoS ONE
Authors: Solhee Kim, Taegon Kim, Jungyeon Kim, Kyo Suh
Institutions: Jeonbuk National University, Seoul National University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
OpenAlex ID: W4411402095