Saponin Profiling for Chemical Characteristics and Machine Learning-Based Classification of Panax Vietnamensis Var. fuscidiscus Root Parts

Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus (PVF), Araliaceae is a new variety of Vietnamese Ginseng that grows widely in Lai Chau province, Vietnam; hence usually it is usually called Lai Chau Ginseng. The underground part of PVF consists of the radix, rhizomes, and rootlets. Vietnamese traditional physicians usually use PVF as the whole root for medicinal purposes. However, the chemical characteristics of the individual underground part of PVF were not studied. In this study, metabolite profiling of different portions derived from the whole ginseng root was conducted using untargeted metabolomics. The comparable chemical compositions of the radix and rhizome indicate their potential for interchangeable utilization. In contrast, the distinct saponin profiles observed in rootlets, compared to those of the radix and rhizome, suggest that rootlets may not serve as a suitable alternative to primary roots. Nonetheless, ginsenoside-derived machine learning models can successfully classify radix and rhizome with an accuracy of 80% or higher. The model could be utilized as an effective authentication tool to prevent adulteration.