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. 2015 Dec 9:9:66.
doi: 10.1186/s13065-015-0141-0. eCollection 2015.

Tissue-specific metabolite profiling and quantitative analysis of ginsenosides in Panax quinquefolium using laser microdissection and liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight-mass spectrometry

Yujie Chen  1 , Liang Xu  2 , Yuancen Zhao  3 , Zhongzhen Zhao  3 , Hubiao Chen  3 , Tao Yi  3 , Minjian Qin  4 , Zhitao Liang  3
Affiliations

Tissue-specific metabolite profiling and quantitative analysis of ginsenosides in Panax quinquefolium using laser microdissection and liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight-mass spectrometry

Yujie Chen et al. Chem Cent J. .

Abstract

Background: The root of Panax quinquefolium L., famous as American ginseng all over the world, is one of the most widely-used medicinal or edible materials. Ginsenosides are recognized as the main bioactive chemical components responsible for various functions of American ginseng. In this study, tissue-specific chemicals of P. quinquefolium were analyzed by laser microdissection and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- quadrupole/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) to elucidate the distribution pattern of ginsenosides in tissues. The contents of ginsenosides in various tissues were also compared.

Results: A total of 34 peaks were identified or temporarily identified in the chromatograms of tissue extractions. The cork, primary xylem or cortex contained higher contents of ginsenosides than phloem, secondary xylem and cambium. Thus, it would be reasonable to deduce that the ratio of total areas of cork, primary xylem and the cortex to the area of the whole transection could help to judge the quality of American ginseng by microscopic characteristics.

Conclusion: This study sheds new light on the role of microscopic research in quality evaluation, and provides useful information for probing the biochemical pathways of ginsenosides. Graphical abstract.

Keywords: Ginsenosides; Laser microdissection; Panax quinquefolium L.; Tissue-specific; UHPLC-Q/TOF–MS.

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Figures

Graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
.
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Morphological features of Panax quinquefolium materials
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Microscopic characteristics of P. quinquefolium. I Under normal light microscope, II under fluorescence mode with dichromatic mirror. a, b represented the main root and branch root of Pq1; c–e represented Pq6, Pq8 and Pq10 respectively. ck cork, ct cortex, ph phloem, rc resin canals, cb cambium, xy xylem, sx secondary xylem, px primary xylem, pt pith
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The total ions current (TIC) chromatograms of microdissected tissues from main root (a) and branch root (b) of P. quinquefolium samples. The peak numbers referred to Table 2
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The total ions current (TIC) chromatograms of microdissected tissues from P. quinquefolium samples of Pq5 (c) and Pq8 (d). The peak numbers referred to Table 2
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Contents of ginsenosides in different tissues of Pq1-4 (a) and Pq5-13 (b). Ck cork, Ct cortex, Ph phloem, Cb cambium, Sx secondary xylem, Px primary xylem
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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