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