# Post-harvest treatment of wild-simulated ginseng under climate-smart environmental conditions

## TL;DR

This study shows that using climate-smart conditions after harvesting wild-simulated ginseng improves survival, increases root weight, and maintains its medicinal quality.

## Contribution

A climate-smart post-harvest treatment method is introduced to enhance wild-simulated ginseng cultivation.

## Key findings

- WSG survival rate reached 97% after treatment in climate-smart conditions.
- Root weight increased 2.5-fold and ginsenoside content was 10.458 mg/g dried ginseng.
- Rare ginsenosides like Compound K and Rg3 were present in notable amounts.

## Abstract

Wild-simulated ginseng (WSG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is prized for its unique ginsenoside profile and medicinal properties; however, traditional cultivation faces challenges, such as declining survival rates and prolonged growth periods. We aimed to develop an enhanced post-harvest treatment using climate-smart conditions to improve survival rates, boost root mass, and preserve the characteristic ginsenoside profile of WSG. Three-year-old WSG roots were transplanted and cultivated in a controlled smart facility in regulated light and irrigation conditions for five months using premium ginseng soil, a certified organic ginseng soil medium. Growth performance was monitored and ginsenoside profiles were analysed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Post-treatment, WSG exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in root weight and an overall survival rate of 97%. Total ginsenoside content reached 10.458 mg/g dried ginseng, with notably high levels of Re (7.716 mg/g) and the presence of rare compounds, such as Compound K and Rg3. The root-to-shoot ratio exceeded 1.23, indicating efficient resource allocation. These results demonstrate that climate-smart post-harvest treatment effectively enhances root development and maintains the medicinal quality of WSG, offering a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional cultivation and improve its commercial viability.