Post-harvest treatment of wild-simulated ginseng under climate-smart environmental conditions

PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326237 June 18, 2025 5 / 6 factors. Key findings include a 2.5-fold weight increase over five months, survival rates exceeding 96%, and retention of the characteristic ginsenoside profiles. The post-treatment protocol addresses several crucial challenges in traditional WSG cultivation. Offering controlled post-harvest conditions that preserve the unique properties of WSG may resolve the issues of the industry with unstable production and variable quality. The preservation of rare ginsenosides, such as Compound K and Rg3, confirms that this approach maintains the medicinal value characteristic of WSG while improving production efficiency. The post-treated WSG evaluated in this study occupies a distinct position between conventional field-cultivated and wild-simulated ginseng. It shows improved root growth and preservation of pharmacologically relevant ginsenosides under a shorter cultivation window. While the production cost is expected to be higher than that of FCG, it remains significantly lower than that of long-term WSG cultivation. This balance of cost and efficacy may offer a practical and scalable alternative for premium ginseng markets. Achieving significant growth within five months, high survival rates, and desirable pharmacological properties suggests potential economic benefits. This method could improve the commercial value of previously unmarketable WSG while ensuring consistent quality standards.

Future research should investigate treatment conditions for different genetic stocks and seasonal effects. This research represents a step toward overcoming current limitations in WSG cultivation while preserving its valuable medicinal properties. Supporting information S1 Appendix. Cultivation techniques, environmental management, and container design. (DOCX) S1 Fig. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of WSG leaves under different light and irrigation condi- tions over a 15-day period. Light/H2O: natural light with water, Light/HOCl: natural light with HOCl, Dark/H2O: shaded with water, Dark/HOCl: shaded with HOCl. Measurements were taken at 1, 5, 8, 12, and 15 days after treatment. Vertical bars indicate standard errors. (DOCX) S2 Fig. Comparison of shoot development under different light and irrigation conditions. (A) Three petioles from plants grown under light and dark conditions. (B) Representative leaf morphology of middle leaflets under different light and irrigation treatments (Light/H2O, Light/HOCl, Dark/H2O, Dark/HOCl). Scale bar = 5 cm. (DOCX) S3 Fig. The average weight of WSG roots under different light and irrigation conditions after two months of treat- ment. The initial weight of transplanted roots was 1.70 ± 0.40 g (mean ± SD, n = 39). Bars represent mean values ± stan- dard errors (n.s.: not significant, ***: p < 0.001, ****: p < 0.0001). (DOCX) Acknowledgments We sincerely appreciate the invaluable assistance of the Green Bio Research Facility Center at the Institutes of Green Bio Science & Technology with the ginsenoside analysis.

Author contributions Data curation: Solhee Kim. Formal analysis: Solhee Kim, Taegon Kim.