Analysis of Nonpolar Components from Ginseng of Different Ages

Nonpolar components from ginseng of different ages were extracted and analysed using a GC-MS technique to determine their chemical compositions. In total, 23 ingredients, mostly aliphatic compounds, were identified. The compounds extracted included 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid (12.81% - 36.43%), falcarinol (4.95% - 36.79%), n-hexadecanoic acid (0.60% - 9.70%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester (0.33% - 5.63%), 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol (0.97% - 3.85%), (Z)-9-octadecenamide (2.66% - 5.38%) and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (0.46% - 5.27%). The two major diyne compositions, falcarinol (8) and 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid (12), were the predominant components (over 50%) of the nonpolar extract of older ginseng. Moreover, the 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid obviously accumulated as the ginseng grew. Sitosterol, a universal metabolite in higher plants, makes up 55.80% of the content of 6-year-old ginseng, but markedly decreases in older ginseng. There was not much difference between the extracts of 8, 10, 12 and 16-year ginsengs, but the extracts of 6-year-old ginseng were distinctive.