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Purification and Characterization of a Novel Ginsenoside Rc-Hydrolyzing β-Glucosidase from Armillaria mellea Mycelia

Summary

This research focused on isolating and studying an enzyme from honey mushroom that can convert a common ginsenoside (found in ginseng) into more medicinally valuable compounds. The enzyme was able to efficiently transform the original compound into two products with enhanced health benefits. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to more effective ginseng-based supplements and medicines • Demonstrates potential new uses for edible mushrooms in drug production • May help make beneficial compounds more affordable and accessible • Provides a natural way to enhance the medicinal properties of ginseng • Could contribute to development of new anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer treatments

Background

Ginsenosides are the principal active compounds in Panax ginseng root responsible for its pharmacological effects and health benefits. Minor ginsenosides like G-F2, G-Rh2, C-Mc1, C-Mc, C-O, C-Y, and C-K are known to be more pharmacologically active than major ginsenosides such as G-Rb1, G-Rb2, G-Rc, and G-Rd. Various methods have been studied to produce these more active minor ginsenosides, but existing approaches have limitations.

Objective

To purify and characterize a novel ginsenoside Rc-hydrolyzing β-glucosidase (BG-1) from Armillaria mellea mycelia and investigate its ability to convert major ginsenoside Rc into minor ginsenosides.

Results

BG-1 was purified to homogeneity as a single protein band with molecular weight of 121.5 kDa and specific activity of 17.9 U mg−1 protein. The enzyme showed optimal activity at pH 4.0-4.5 and temperature 45-60°C. BG-1 could efficiently convert ginsenoside Rc to minor ginsenosides C-Mc and C-K through two pathways: G-Rc → C-Mc1 → C-Mc and G-Rc → G-Rd → G-F2 → C-K.

Conclusion

The purified β-glucosidase (BG-1) from A. mellea mycelia can efficiently produce pharmacologically active minor ginsenosides C-Mc and C-K from ginsenoside Rc under controlled reaction conditions. This is the first report of efficient production of these minor ginsenosides from G-Rc using β-glucosidase purified from A. mellea mycelia.
  • Published in:AMB Express,
  • Study Type:Biochemical Characterization Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s13568-016-0277-x
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