Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Panax ginseng of Different Regions in Korea

Abstract

The composition of the roots of Panax ginseng essential oils of three different regions of Korea namely Po-chen (I), Gang-won (II) and Gang-hwa (III) were examined by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil yields (mL/100g DW) were for the Po-chen (I) 0.1 %, Gang-won (II) 0.12 % and Gang-hwa (III) 0.09 %. Thirty six compounds comprising 96.9 % of the total peak area were identified in Pochen (I). Thirty eight compounds comprising 99.01 % of the total peak area were identified in Gang won (II). Thirty seven compounds comprising 99.89 % of total peak area were identified in Gang-hwa (III). The common major components in these three regions were a-panasinene (7.12, 5.92 and 3.31 %), a-elemene (5.81, 2.26 and 2.50 %), neoclovene (7.05, 9.69 and 11.88 %), 1,6,10-dodecatriene-7,11-dimethyl-3- methylene (7.44, 5.93 and 12.31 %), bicyclogermacrene (12.58, 22.61 and 25.41 %), naphthalene 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8a-octahydro-1,8a-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethenyl)-(4.41, 3.28 and 3.28 %), selina-6-en-4-ol (3.06, 2.09 and 1.57), respectively. Water extract of three different regions ginseng roots were investigated for their antioxidant activity. Two different bioassays were used, namely scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and the other reducing power of Fe³⁺ method. The total phenolic content was quantified as well. All the three different ginseng root water extracts contributed to the strongest antioxidant activity. The root water extracts of Ginseng has potential as a natural antioxidant and thus inhibit unwanted oxidation process.