Vietnamese ginseng or Ngoc Linh ginseng, K5 ginseng has the scientific name Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., is a precious medicine used in many traditional medicine and health care products. Vietnamese ginseng is considered a “National treasure”: it needs to be preserved and developed.
Why is it necessary to test Ngoc Linh Ginseng?
Currently, there is a common confusion in the market between Ngoc Linh Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis), Lai Chau Ginseng and Langbiang Ginseng. These types of ginseng have quite similar morphology, but their active ingredients and biological values are very different. Therefore, many customers have accidentally bought Lai Chau Ginseng or Langbiang Ginseng at high prices like Ngoc Linh Ginseng. Some sellers even deliberately change the product name to increase the selling price and gain illegal profits.
Therefore, it is extremely necessary to accurately distinguish Ngoc Linh Ginseng from other types of ginseng, in order to protect the interests of consumers, ensure product quality, and contribute to preserving the reputation of the “National Treasure” Vietnamese Ginseng. The Ginseng analysis and testing service provided by the Ho Chi Minh City Drug Testing Institute is an effective solution to determine the origin and quality of Ngoc Linh Ginseng in a scientific, accurate and reliable way.
Where to test the quality and confirm Ngoc Linh Ginseng?
Recognizing the great value of Vietnamese Ginseng in both biological and economic effects, in order to help consumers feel secure about the origin and quality of the product, the Ginseng Analysis and Testing Lab, under the Research and Development Department, Ho Chi Minh City Drug Testing Institute, has deployed the service of analyzing Vietnamese Ginseng with the following tests:
- Identification of Vietnamese Ginseng by Gene Sequencing Technique: Applying specialized single polymorphic marker technology, the origin and species of Vietnamese Ginseng can be accurately determined at the molecular level, providing reliable results in a short analysis time.
- Qualitative identification of Vietnamese Ginseng by thin layer chromatography: Save time with the service of rapid qualitative identification of typical Saponins of Vietnamese Ginseng by thin layer chromatography, in compliance with the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia V, for accurate and effective results.
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of saponin components by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ELSD: Qualitative and quantitative determination of 8 most characteristic saponins of Vietnamese Ginseng (Majonoside R2, Ginsenoside Rg1, Ginsenoside Rb1, Ginsenoside Rd, Vinaginsenoside R1, Vinaginsenoside R2, Ginsenoside Rh1). In-depth analysis with ELSD probe helps detect substances that absorb UV poorly, especially the compound Majonoside R2, which is the most characteristic marker to distinguish Vietnamese Ginseng from other ginseng species.
- Safety Assessment: Using advanced ICP-MS method to determine 15 toxic heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Hg…) in Vietnamese Ginseng with ppb sensitivity, ensuring accurate and reliable results, while assessing the risk of residual effects on the kidneys, liver and health of users.
Ho Chi Minh City Drug Testing Institute with modern equipment system, leading team of experts and application of the most advanced techniques, we are committed to providing comprehensive Ginseng testing services, ensuring superior quality, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the value of the ‘National Treasure’ Vietnamese Ginseng.
For more details, please contact:
- MSc. Nguyen Van Vinh Ha – Phone: 0989254854
- Internal Phone: 02838368518 – Research and Development Department
- Email: ncpt@vienkiemnghiem.gov.vn
- Ginseng Research and Testing Laboratory, Research and Development Department
- Room 103 – 105, 200 Co Bac, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
References:
- Development of a leaf metabolitebased intact sample distinguishing algorithm for the three varieties of Panax Vietnamensis
- Grassroots level topic: “Validation of the method of analyzing Vietnamese ginseng by HPLC-ELSD and comparing the results with HPLC-PDA”
Source: quoted from the article on the website vienkiemnghiem.gov.vn by author IDQC on April 18, 2025
