Comparison of the Transformation Ability of the Major Saponins in Panax notoginseng by Penicillum fimorum Enzyme and Commercial β‐Glucosidase

Ginsenosides with less sugar groups which were called minor ginsenosides might have greater pharmacological activity and a better adsorptive ability, but their content in nature is extremely low. In this study, a strain of Penicillium fimorum with strong saponin transformation ability was isolated from fresh Gastrodia elata. A comparative biotransformation experiment of the major saponins from Panax notoginseng root were conducted using crude enzyme from P. fimorum and commercial β-glucosidase to product minor ginsenosides. Specifically, the crude enzyme from P. fimorum was able to transform the major saponins from P. notoginseng root into 13 minor saponins within 72 hours, while commercial β-glucosidase was able to transform the same major saponins into 15 minor saponins within 72 hours. The most significant difference between their two enzymes is the ability to transform Rb1. To the best of our knowledge, the biotransformation ability of crude enzyme from P. fimorum is reported for the first time. These two enzymes have the potential to improve the economic value of P. notoginseng root and expand the methods for preparing minor saponins by transforming the major saponins in the total saponins of P. notoginseng root.