Comparison of Growth Patterns and Metabolite Composition of Different Ginseng Cultivars (Yunpoong and K-1) Grown in a Vertical Farm

This study analyzed growth patterns, biological compounds, antioxidant properties, ginsenoside contents, metabolites, and the annual net production of `Yunpoong' and `K-1' to find the optimal harvesting time of ginseng sprouts. One-year-old ginseng seedlings were cultivated in a container-type vertical farm under a temperature of 20 degrees C, a humidity of 60%, and average light intensity of 46.4 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) (16 h photoperiod). Growth patterns at 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT) differed between cultivars. Regarding biological compounds and antioxidant properties, `Yunpoong' took 5 WAT (43.59%; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine-hydrate radical scavenging activity, 1.47 OD593nm; ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, 78.01%; 2,20 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity), and `K-1' took 4WAT (0.98 Re mg g(-1); total flavonoid contents, 35.93%; DPPH) to show a high content. Two cultivars showed the highest total ginsenoside contents at 5WAT. Most of the analyzed metabolites had a higher content in `Yunpoong' than in `K-1'. In both cultivars, it was confirmed that the longer the growth period (3 -> 5WAT), the lower the yield and the annual ginsenoside net production. Therefore, `Yunpoong' and `K-1' cultivars should be grown as ginseng sprouts in the vertical farms for approximately 3 WAT and 4 WAT, respectively.

Automated summary

This study analyzed various factors such as growth patterns, biological compounds, antioxidant properties, ginsenoside contents, metabolites, and the annual net production to determine the optimal harvesting time for ginseng sprouts. Different cultivars showed variations in growth patterns, biological compounds, and antioxidant properties. `Yunpoong' and `K-1' exhibited the highest ginsenoside contents at 5 weeks after transplanting. The longer the growth period, the lower the yield and annual ginsenoside net production. Therefore, `Yunpoong' and `K-1' should be harvested as ginseng sprouts at approximately 3 and 4 weeks after transplanting, respectively.