Production of ginsenoside Rd from ginsenoside Rc by α-L-arabinofuranosidase from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus.

Ginsenoside Rd was produced from ginsenoside Rc using a thermostable recombinant alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of ginsenoside Rd from Rc were pH 5.5, 80 degrees C, 227 U enzyme/ml, and 8.0 g/l ginsenoside Rc in the presence of 30% (v/v) n-hexane. Under these conditions, the enzyme produced 7.0 g/l ginsenoside Rd after 30 min, with a molar yield of 100% and a productivity of 14 g l(-1) h(-1). The conversion yield and productivity of ginsenoside Rd are the highest reported thus far among enzymatic transformations.