A team of scientists from the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center is researching the creation of polyploid lines of Ngoc Linh Ginseng, which feature thicker leaves, larger petioles, and taller plants compared to natural specimens.
This research is being conducted by Master Pham Van Hieu, from the Plant Biotechnology Department (Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center), along with four other collaborators, from December 2021 to June 2024. According to the research team, Ngoc Linh Ginseng contains many valuable medicinal compounds such as ginsenosides (approximately 52 saponin compounds) and ocotillol (Majonoside R2, or MR2), which help boost the immune system and prevent cancer. Currently, the source of Ngoc Linh Ginseng seeds used for production is primarily obtained from seeds of plants grown in natural conditions, with very limited quantities.
Research shows that polyploid plants, which have more than two sets of chromosomes in their cells, are commonly found in many plant species and possess many superior characteristics compared to diploid plants. In nature, Ngoc Linh Ginseng exists in diploid form with 2n = 24 chromosomes, while the polyploid version has 4n = 48 chromosomes. The team believes that numerous studies have demonstrated that an increase in chromosome number can lead to increased cell and organ size, enhanced metabolic activity, resulting in increased secondary compounds and improved environmental adaptability.
Microscopic image of diploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng (left) and polyploid form. (Photo: Research team).
According to Master Hieu, the application of polyploid techniques to enhance yield and quality has been successfully implemented in many different crops. This indicates that polyploid techniques can be applied to create Ngoc Linh Ginseng varieties that grow and adapt better to the environment. The development of polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng aims to serve research and development of the variety, as well as future production.
To create the polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng lines, the research team used embryos in the somatic embryogenesis stage (embryos produced from tissue culture) as the initial material. The embryos were treated with colchicine at various concentrations to determine the most suitable concentration and treatment duration for producing polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng. After treatment, the embryo samples continued to be cultured to promote leaf growth. The team conducted polyploid sample screening using flow cytometry. The polyploid samples that passed the flow cytometry screening will be regenerated to create complete polyploid plants.
According to Master Hieu, among the processes mentioned, polyploid screening is the most challenging due to the need to work with a large number of samples. This issue was addressed by utilizing a flow cytometer, which facilitates the screening of large sample sizes in a short period.
The initially created polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng lines showed increases in size, thicker leaves, larger petioles, and taller plants compared to diploid samples. These research results lay the groundwork for creating several polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng lines for research purposes.
To apply polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng in production, Master Hieu emphasized the need for further research into growth potential, adaptability, and evaluating the medicinal compound content compared to diploid ginseng. “Theoretically, polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng should increase the concentration of valuable medicinal compounds. However, this needs to be practically evaluated through experiments to obtain convincing data,” Master Hieu stated. In the coming period, the team will continue to analyze some key medicinal components in the produced polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng samples to compare the compound levels with those in the original diploid variety.
Polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng (right) next to diploid plants. (Photo: Research team).
Dr. Ha Thi Loan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center, evaluated the research on creating polyploid lines as a relatively new direction in the country, aiming to develop Ngoc Linh Ginseng varieties with rapid growth and high medicinal compound content. However, she indicated that the team needs to continue researching to move toward the actual cultivation of polyploid Ngoc Linh Ginseng to assess the content of valuable compounds and rapidly increase biomass for compound extraction. “We will provide support to the team regarding the experimental cultivation areas for the next phase of research,” Dr. Loan said.
