• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2004

This study was conducted to compare the root weight, yield, quality of fresh and red ginseng roots and crude saponin content in roots between fixing light transmittance(Control) and changing light transmittance(C.L.T.) during the ginseng growing seasons. The root weight in C.L.T. was higher than control by $35{\%}$ in early growth stage, $28{\%}$ in middle growth stage and $26{\%}$ in late growth stage in 6 years old ginseng plant. Root yield per 10a in C.L.T. was increased about $40{\%}$ as compared with that of control, also 1st and 2nd grade of fresh ginseng roots in C.L.T. was higher $(50.3{\%})$ compared with that $(12.9{\%})$ of control. The specific gravity of ginseng roots grown under the C.L.T. was exhibited the sig­nificant difference than control during the growing season in 4 and 6 years old ginseng plants. Red ginseng quality in C.L.T. was not only improved remarkably due to the increasement of heaven and earth grade red ginseng but also increased in crude saponin content than control. Therefore it needs to change the light transmittance(increasing light dur­ing low temperature periods and decreasing light during high temperature period) during the growing season for high yield and good qualities of ginseng roots.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.456-466
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• 2002

Wild ginseng production is increasing due to forest recovery for last 30 years. Total number of Symmani (traditional mountain ginseng digger) was 558 in 2001. Provincial distribution of Symmani in 2001 was highest in Kangwon $(32\%),$ next in Choongbook $(21\%)$ and least in Jeonnam $(0.7\%)$ and Kyoungnam $(0.9\%).$ Age distribution of Symmani was $33\%\;for\;fourties,\;32\%$ for fifties and $20\%$ for sixties. There were 8 persons in eighties. Symmanies are still keeping traditional ritual for mountain god serving clothes of colored ribbons and foods. Increased production induced open market system from underground dealing of mountain ginseng. Korea Mountain Ginseng Association established mountain ginseng assessment committee with professional Symmanies in 2001. From September to November in 2001, 987 roots were requested for quality assessment to the committee and 476 roots $(48\%)$ were passed and graded and others were rejected. Highest frequency of rejection was foreign origin. Pass rate was highest $(74\%)$ in Choongnam suggesting best place for quality. Number of collected roots in each province was positively correlated (p=0.05) with number of Symmanies. There are 3 quality groups of mountain ginseng, Heaven (pure natural), Earth (from seeding of wild ginseng) and Man (from seeding or seedling of wild ginseng with slight environmental modification). The relationship between price and age was polynomial in high quality root, Heaven, Earth and seed long head of Man group, and linear in low quality group, seedling long head of Man. The best one in 2001 was 26 g, 124 years old and sold with 109 million won. Quality criteria are age, shape, weight, color and healthy outlook. Fine roots are criteria for health status of roots and taproot is criteria for efficacy and called as medicine barrel. The implication is that ginsenosides have rarely been experienced for efficacy. The quality criteria of cultivated ginseng were originated from those of mountain ginseng. It is unique for mountain ginseng that only fresh one can be on market. Since quality criteria of mountain ginseng must be based on the efficacy experience it is well expected that present criteria might almost be established at the age of Shinnong Materia Medica.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.311-320
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• 2009

The low quality fresh ginseng was fermented by Phelinus linteus or Hericium erinaceum mycelium. This fermented ginseng was extracted by water at $100^{\circ}C$ or water with ultrasonification at $60^{\circ}C$. Total phenolic compounds was improved by ultrasonification extraction process, compare to conventional water extraction. All extracts enhanced the growth of human B and T cells, showing 2.68 times and 3.43 times higher, respectively, than the control. The secretion of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 from human immune cells was enhanced as $3.53{\times}10^{-4}\;pg/cell$, $3.40{\times}10^{-4}\;pg/cell$ by adding H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng. H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng yielded higher nitric oxide production from macrophage than Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The cytotoxicity on human normal kidney cell (HEK293) was as low as 20.5% in adding the maximum concentration of $1.0\;mg/m{\ell}$ of fermented ginseng. Generally, the extracts from ultrasonification extraction process showed 10% lower toxicity than that by conventional process. H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng had the highest anticancer activity on human lung cancer and stomach cancer cells as 69.33% and 75.32%, respectively at $1.0\;mg/m{\ell}$. It can be concluded that, in general, H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng has relatively better immune and anticancer activities than P. linteus fermented ginseng. Expecially, the extracts treated with ultrasonification had higher activities than that from conventional extraction process.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2011

As a serial study to investigate optimum storing temperature of fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), the respiration rate and internal quality of the ginseng was compared during storage for 16 weeks at $-3^{\circ}C$, $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and $0^{\circ}C$. At initial storage period, respiration rate of fresh ginseng was lower at lower temperature, but thereafter it was negligible. Changes in the firmness of fresh ginseng were not significantly different by the storage temperature. The soluble solids content in fresh ginseng was rapidly increased in the early part of storage, and fresh ginseng stored at a lower temperature had a lower content of soluble solids. The iodine-stained color for starch of the main root was rapidly changed for 4 weeks, and L value of the color was the highest in the center, followed by the cambium and the cortex. pH were a little change depending upon the storage temperature, and as a whole, pH was the lowest at $-3^{\circ}C$, followed by $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and $0^{\circ}C$. Although the content of crude saponin tended to somewhat increased as the storage period passed, the effect of storage temperature on changes in the content was not clear. In the sensory evaluation of 'unique flavor' of fresh ginseng using 5 point scale, higher than 3 point was marked for 8 weeks at $-3^{\circ}C$, 14 weeks at $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and 16 weeks at $-0^{\circ}C$ during storage (p < 0.05).

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.152-166
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenosides, which have various physiological activities, are known to be abundant in the leaves and roots of ginseng. Ginseng sprouts can be used as a fresh vegetable and roots, stems, and leaves of ginseng can be consumed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide treatment and the modified atmosphere (MA) packaging method in suppressing quality deterioration during the distribution of ginseng sprouts. Methods and Results: Ginseng sprouts were packed using Styrofoam, barrier film + non gas treatment, barrier film + gas treatment, 15 ㎛ polyamide (PA) double film + non gas treatment, 15 ㎛ PA double film + gas treatment, 25 ㎛ PA film + non gas treatment, or 25 ㎛ PA film + gas treatment. Quality parameters including gas composition, relative humidity, chlorophyll SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) value, firmness, and rate of quality loss in ginseng sprouts were monitored at the following temperatures: 20℃, and 10℃. Ginseng sprouts packaged with 25 ㎛ PA film showed loss in quality because of wilting owing to low relative humidity within the film. Chlorophyll and firmness did not differ between film and gas treatments. The time point at which the combined loss from softening and decay owing to fungal, and bacterial infection and wilt reached 20% was considered the limit of distribution. At 20℃, the packaging not included in the 20% distribution loss rate limit or up to 7 days was 15 ㎛ PA double film + gas treatment. At 10℃, the packaging not included in the 20% distribution loss rate limit for up to 18 days were barrier film + gas treatment and 15 ㎛ PA double film + gas treatment. Conclusions: The film packaging suitable for the distribution of ginseng sprouts was found to be the barrier film and PA film with low gas permeability and maintaining hygroscopicity at 95% relative humidity. To prevent the loss in quality of ginseng sprouts, gas treatment (8% of O₂ and 18% of CO₂) in the film was found to be more suitable than no gas treatment for inhibition of decay.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2012

This study was carried out to have the basic and applied informations relating to increase the productivity and quality of ginseng. 2 years-old ginseng was cultivated under hydroponic culture with the controlled environment conditions in a greenhouse. Major growth characters and yields were investigated with two different temperatures and several growth stages. The plant height and stem diameter were higher at low temperature than those at high temperature. They were not clearly different with six different growth stages. The root length was not clearly different between two temperatures; however it was continuously grown from June until August. The root diameter was higher at low temperature than that at high temperature. It was rapidly increased from June until August. The length, width, and area of leaf were higher at low temperature than those at high temperature. The fresh and dry weights of different plant tissues were also heavier at low temperature than those at high temperature. The moisture content of ginseng root was continuously decreased from June until August. The yield of ginseng was higher at low temperature compared to that at high temperature. The cultivating conditions in hydroponic culture of ginseng, especially temperature, would be an important factor to have better growth and production.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.308-316
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• 2013

Fresh ginseng has a limited storage life due to the quality change caused by microbial spoilage as well as physiological deterioration. The present study investigated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment, an inhibitor of ethylene action, on the microbial growth and quality maintenance of fresh ginseng during storage. Harvested fresh ginsengs were treated with $1{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 1-MCP for 20 hours at $4^{\circ}C$ and then stored at room temperature (RT) for 18 days or low temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) for 160 days. After 18 days of storage at RT, the percentage weight loss in 1-MCP treated fresh ginseng (8.3%) is lower than that of control (10.1%). During long-term storage at $4^{\circ}C$, weight losses were increased slightly until 120 days without difference between non-treated and 1-MCP ginsengs. In contrast, after 120 days of storage at $4^{\circ}C$, higher increase in weight loss was observed in non-treated ginsengs than in 1-MCP treated ginsengs. Respiration rate and ethylene production of fresh ginseng were reduced by 1-MCP treatments at RT. The 1-MCP treatment also resulted in lower microbial population compared to those of non-treated ginsengs at RT. However, in ginsengs stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for short-term (45 days), no differences were noted in weight loss and microbial population between 1-MCP treated and non-treated ginsengs. Major ginsenosides was not changed by 1-MCP treatment during the 7 days of storage at RT. Results suggest that 1-MCP treatment can be used to maintain the freshness of ginseng at room temperature for short term storage and at low temperature for long term storage. 1-MCP treatment could be applied on fresh ginseng to avoid deleterious effect of exogenous ethylene during storage and shipping.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2016

Background: The photosynthetic efficiency cool-season, semi-shade ginseng is normal at low morning temperatures, but drops at high afternoon temperatures. Therefore, optimal plant performance would be ensured if it were possible to control daily light transmission rates (LTR). Methods and Results: Plants were grown in a controlled light environment that replicated 11 AM conditions and comparatively analyzed against plant grown under normal conditions. Growth in the controlled light environment resulted in a 2.81 fold increase in photosynthetic efficiency with no change in chlorophyll content, although LTR were high due to low morning temperatures. Increased aerial plant growth was observed in the ginseng plants adapted to the controlled light environment, which in turn influenced root weight. An 81% increase in fresh root weight (33.3 g per plant on average) was observed in 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment compared to the plants grown following conventional practices (18.4 g per plant on average). With regard to the inorganic composition of leaves of 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment, an increased in Fe content was observed, while Mn and Zn content decreased, and total ginsenoside content of roots increased 2.37 fold. Conclusions: Growth of ginseng under a favorable light environment, such as the condition which exist naturally at 11 AM and are suitable for the plant's photosynthetic activity creates the possibility of large scale production, excellent-quality ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.207-210
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• 2008

It is very important factors to control optimal light transmission ratio and soil moisture content in order to produce good quality of ginseng seedling. To study the effect of light transmission ratio (LTR) and soil moisture content(SMC) on growth characteristics and yield of ginseng seedling, LTR was controlled by three level such as 21.2, 24.8% and 30.3%, and SMC was plotted by four level of 11.0%, 12.5%, 15.3% and 18.9% at the greenhouse. Chlorophyll content was gradually decreased in the low LTR (21.2%), while it was distinctly decreased by the decrease of SMC in excessively high LTR (30.3%). The decrease of SMC in the high LTR increased heat injury ratio distinctly, while heat injury ratio in the low LTR was only increased when SMC was very low such as 11.0%. All of fresh root weight per Kan (3.3$m^2$), root weight per plant, and the number of usable seedling were distinctly decreased by the increase of LTR and the decrease of SMC. Excessive increase of LTR in optimal SMC (18.9%) hadn't a great effect on the decrease of root weight, while root weight in low SMC was distinctly decreased by the increase of LTR. Ratio of rusty root was distinctly increased in the condition that both of LTR and SMC were high. Ratio of rusty root in the excessively high LTR was gradually fallen off by decrease of SMC, but its ratio in low SMC didn't changed distinctly by the decrease of SMC.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the optimum shading material of rain shelter in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Results obtained from our experiment can be summarized as follows. From photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) as shade materials on sunny day, temperature under rain shelter was low in comparison with that under polyethylene net. It was ranged from 3 to $5^{\circ}C$ Survival rate of 3,4, and 5 year-old ginsengs under shade materials of rain shelter was lower than that under polyethylene net. Root fresh weight in ginseng grown under rain shelter was increased into about 5.0g in 3 year-old, 10g in 4 year-old and 8g in 5 year-old ginsengs. From investigating root grade of 3, 4, and 5 year-old ginsengs, we confirmed that rain shelter was more effective than the other as shading materials. Root size of 3, 4, 5 year-old ginsengs grown under rain shelter is distributed in bigger size than that grown under polyethylene net. Also, in the case of saponin contents, the ginseng grown under the shade material of rain shelter was higher than that under polyethylene net.