A Review of the Different Methods Applied in Ginsenoside Extraction From Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius Roots

Ginseng saponins, also called ginsenosides, are the main active ingredients of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius and are often used as qualitative and quantitative markers in the regulation of ginseng products. Various methods have been used to extract the major ginsenosides, such as ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rf from P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius. The objective of this paper is to review the studies regarding the influence of different extraction systems on ginsenoside amount and pattern in P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius roots. Although traditional extraction methods, Soxhlet and heat reflux extractions, have many disadvantages, including long extraction times and low extraction efficiency, they are the most widely used methods for ginseng saponin extraction. The amount and pattern of ginsenosides found in P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius roots differ depending on the method of extraction. In particular, the total ginsenoside amount and extraction efficiency can be significantly increased with the use of advanced extraction techniques that apply the conditions of high temperature and/or high pressure, such as pressurized liquid extraction, high-pressure microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and pulsed electric field extraction. Among several advanced extraction procedures, ultrahigh-pressure extraction is thought to offer the most advanced and efficient technology in that it requires only a few minutes for ginseng saponin extraction.