Abstract
Saponins are glycosidic compounds occurring abundantly in the plant kingdom. Some saponins have the ability to hemolyze blood cells and form insoluble complexes with cholesterol. Being glycosidic plant products, the saponins are composed of a parent compound and a variable sugar component. Saponins are classified as—Triterpene glycosides, Spirostanol glycosides, and Steroidal alkaloid glycosides. This chapter describes progress in the saponin production by Korean ginseng cell cultures. It further describes the relationship between saponin production and growth in various cell cultures and differentiated tissues of P. ginseng. The saponin content in various calli and differentiated tissues is determined using thin layer chromatography method. The chapter also highlights the effects of plant growth regulators and light on saponin production and growth in static cultures. It also demonstrates the effects of various culture conditions on saponin production and growth in suspension cultures.
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