Bioconversion of Ginsenoside Rb1 to Compound K using Leuconostoc lactis DC201

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is frequently used in Asian countries as a traditional medicine. The major components of ginseng are ginsenosides. Among these, ginsenoside compound K has been reported to prevent the formation of malignancy and metastasis of cancer by blocking the formation of tumor and suppressing the invasion of cancer cells. In this study, ginsenoside $Rb_1$ was converted into compound K, via secreted ${\beta}$-glucosidase enzyme from the Leuconostoc lactis DC201 isolated, which was extracted from Kimchi. The strain DC201 was suspended and cultured in MRS broth at $37^{\circ}C$. Subsequently, the residue from the cultured broth supernatant was precipitated with EtOH and then dissolved in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) to obtain an enzyme liquid. Meanwhile, the crude enzyme solution was mixed with ginsenoside $Rb_1$ at a ratio of 1:4 (v/v).The reaction was carried out at $30^{\circ}C$ and 190 rpm for 72 hours, and then analyzed by TLC and HPLC. The result showed that ginsenoside Rb1 was transformed into compound K after 72 hours post reaction.