OBJECTIVETo obtain 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh1 by the method of enzymolysis with the protopananxtriol saponins, and to provide the theory for large-scale preparation of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh1.

METHODAB-8 macroporous resin was used to isolate the total saponins of the stems and leaves from Panax ginseng and the protopanaxtriol saponins (mainly included Rg1 and Re) were obtained. Then, we used enzymic hydrolysis (helicase) with the protopanaxtriol saponins to get the secondary ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh1. High performance liquid chromatography analysis method was established to determine the conversion with the YMC C18 column at the 25 degrees C. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1) and detective wavelength was 203 nm. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile(A)-water(B) was eluted by the way of 0-29 min,19%-26% A, 29-30 min, 26%-30% A, 30-55 min, 30%-38% A, 55-60 min, 38%-40% A.

RESULTHighly purified protopanaxtriol saponins were obtained through AB-8 macroporous resin. The average conversion was 36.7%. The method was simple and stable.

CONCLUSIONThe method is able to obtain secondary ginsenoside 20 (S)-Rh1 with high efficiency. This study develop the preparation resource for the ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh1.