Developing a semi-quantitative process for main saponins in Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) using thin layer chromatography

Abstract

Vietnamese Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis, họ Araliaceae) or Ngọc Linh Ginseng is a precious and endemic Panax species of Vietnam which was discovered in 1973 on Ngọc Linh moutain, Central of Vietnam belong to Quang Nam province. The chemical compositions of Ngọc Linh Ginseng are saponin in protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol and especially ocotillol-type saponin with the very high content. The most popular method for quantitactive determination of saponin in Ngoc Linh Ginseng is HPLC-UV. However, UV detector cannot effectively detect ocotillol-type saponins due to the lack of chromophore. Therefore, in this study, we developed a thin-layer chromatography method to semi-determination saponin in Ngoc Linh Ginseng. The developed method was validated with the regression (R²≥0,99); reproducibility (%RSD<10%) and recovery (80-120%). The developed method is low cost, simple which could effectively determine saponin content in Ngoc Linh Ginseng.