RESUMO
Objective To study the reaction mechanism of ginsenosides in red ginseng processing. Methods The major constituents of ginsenosides were assigned by HPLC/MS/MS data. Ginsenosides (including protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, and oleanolic acid type) of white ginseng and red ginseng were compared by HPLC/MS data. Results Ginsenosides were produced from esterolysis of corresponding malonyl ginsenosides in red ginseng processing. Another reaction of malonyl ginsenosides in red ginseng processing was decarboxylated to produce corresponding acetyl ginsenosides. Hydrolysis of glycosidic bond at C_(20) and isomerous reaction of C_(20) were the main reaction of dammarane type ginsenoside. High degree of esterolysis and glycosidic bond hydrolysis of oleanolic acid type ginsenosides all occurred during the red ginseng processing. Conclusion Great changes of ginsenosides have been obviously found in processing ginseng to red ginseng. Special constituents of red ginseng could be produced in ginseng processing.