Enzymatic modification of saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum with Aspergillus niger

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Oct 31;55(22):8908-13. doi: 10.1021/jf0716937. Epub 2007 Oct 10.

Abstract

Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant. Its root, Platycodi Radix, contains an abundant amount of saponin glycosides, platycodins, of which platycodin D is one of the major components. The chemical structures of platycodins can be modified by various types of chemical processing, but a modification mediated with microorganisms has been not reported yet. In this study, platycodin D was modified to several partially degraded platycodin glycosides after treatment with a crude enzyme extract from Aspergillus niger (A. niger). The modified platycodin D possessed a shorter sugar side-chain, and presented a remarkably reduced V79-4 cell (Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts) cytotoxicity and erythrocyte hemolytic toxicity, whereas the nitrite-scavenging activity was increased in the modified platycodin D. Sensory scores for pungency, bitterness and after-taste were improved as well in the modified platycodin D. Results suggest that A. niger mediated modification yielded a novel partially degraded platycodin glycoside which possesses increased bioactivities and improved sensory values, yet with reduced toxic profiles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Hemolysis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Platycodon / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Saponins / metabolism*
  • Saponins / pharmacology
  • Triterpenes / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Saponins
  • Triterpenes
  • platycodin D
  • Glycoside Hydrolases