Cell Biotech Discovers Probiotic 'CBT-BG7' That Enhances Red Ginseng Absorption

[Source=Cell Biotech]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] Microbiome specialist company Cell Biotech announced on the 11th that it has discovered 'Cell Biotech probiotic CBT-BG7 (Bifidobacterium longum, CBT-BG7)', which increases the absorption rate of 'saponin (ginsenoside)', the main nutritional component of red ginseng.

CBT-BG7 is a synergistic probiotic that helps break down saponin, converting saponin into the physiologically active substance 'Compound K', which is an easily absorbable form. With the discovery of this probiotic, Cell Biotech has secured proprietary technological competitiveness in absorbing the effective components of red ginseng.

Red ginseng is mainly known for enhancing immunity, improving fatigue, and antioxidant effects, and is a representative health functional food widely sought after by Koreans. However, saponin, the main active ingredient of red ginseng, is a high molecular compound that is not absorbed directly by the human body, making it difficult to feel its effects.

Through research, Cell Biotech confirmed that the Korean probiotic strain CBT-BG7 possesses all four main enzymes necessary for saponin breakdown, and when cultured together with red ginseng, it converts saponin into Compound K. Notably, the content of Compound K was higher when mixed with live strains than when the strains were crushed, indicating that the probiotic must be ingested alive and grown in the intestines to enhance the synergistic effect with red ginseng.

This study was published in the September issue of 'Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters (MBL)', a SCOPUS-indexed journal.

Dr. Yoon Jonghyun, head of the Microbiome Research Institute at Cell Biotech, said, “It is significant that we discovered a method to increase the absorption rate and pharmacological efficacy of red ginseng, which had been considered a difficult challenge, through probiotics,” adding, “Based on this research, we plan to develop probiotic products that can create a synergistic effect on red ginseng absorption in the future.”