Changes in Chemical Composition of Panax ginseng Leaves by Different Harvesting Months

인삼협의 채엽시기별 화학성분에 관한 연구

This study was performed to investigate the changes in chemical composition of Panax ginseng leaf by harvesting at July, August and September. The levels of crude protein of dried ginseng leaf were decreased from 17.12mg% to 14.26% by harvesting month, however, crude fat contents of dried ginseng leaf were increased slightly from 1.90% to 2.49%. Three kinds of free sugar, i.e. glucose, fructose and sucrose were found in dried ginseng leaf and maltose was not found. Free sugar contents were increased by delaying harvest, but free amino acid were decreased. Total free amino acid was decreased in delayed harvesting month, serine was revealed superior in free amino acid composition, and valine was revealed next order. In minerals, contents of Ca were from 1,306.1mg% to 1,923mg%, that of K were higher than others patricualy as 1,266.9∼1,216.0mg%. The contents of minerals were existence in order of Mg, P, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, abundantly. Total vitamin C were present of 391.0∼336.1mg%, and the contents were decreased as delayed as harvesting period despite of the plentiful content. In fatty acid composition of ginseng leaf, the palmitic acid content was as 40% higher than other fatty acids, remarkably.