Variation in ginsenoside content and composition within the American ginseng population

The contents of 57 ginsenosides were measured in American ginseng roots collected from a single population grown in Jilin. Ginsenoside contents and compositions varied significantly among the population. The most abundant ginsenoside within the American ginseng root and by population was either Rg1 or Re, followed by Rb1, mal-Rb1, Rd, Rc, pseudoginsenoside F11, Ro, and gypenoside XVII. According to the relative contents of Rg1 and Re, the population was grouped into two chemotypes, and there were significant differences in ginsenoside profiles between them. The contents of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides were relatively stable. The rate-limiting enzymes of malonyl ginsenosides biosynthesis were located in front of their corresponding neutral ginsenosides. The regulatory sites of the oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides biosynthetic pathway were in front of the β-amyrin.