Panax ginseng CA Meyer has a variety of biological effects, including antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Ginseng requires long-term cultivation, but this can be shortened using hydroponic systems to facilitate the commercial development of ginseng as a functional food. However, the characteristics of short-term-cultured (< 30 days) hydroponic ginseng (sHCG) are unclear. We investigated the characteristics of 21-day-cultured sHCG compared 5-year-old normally cultured ginseng. The free radical-scavenging activity and total ginsenoside and phenolic contents were significantly higher in sHCG than in normally cultured ginseng. Fifteen ginsenosides were detected in sHCG, and the concentrations of most were higher in shoots than roots. These findings suggest that 21-day-cultured sHCG, due to its enhanced antioxidant activity and higher concentrations of total phenolics and ginsenosides (including Rd and Re), has potential as a functional food.

人参CA Meyer具有多种生物学作用，包括抗氧化剂和抗糖尿病活性。人参需要长期种植，但是可以使用水培系统来缩短这种时间，以促进人参作为功能性食品的商业开发。但是，短期培养（<30天）的水培人参（sHCG）的特征尚不清楚。我们调查了21天培养的sHCG与5岁正常培养人参相比的特征。sHCG中的清除自由基活性，人参总皂苷和酚含量明显高于正常培养的人参。在sHCG中检测到15种人参皂甙，并且茎中的大多数人参皂甙浓度都高于根。这些发现表明，培养21天的sHCG，