PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY OF GINSENG SAPONINS(II) Radioactives(1) Squalene-$H^3$ Feeding Experiments

The radioactive compound $squalene-H^3$ prepared from peas (Pisum sativum L.) with 5H -mevalonic acid was administered to two- and four-year-old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) Plants and cuttings in September. The $squalene-H^3$ uptake was low $(40\~86\%).$ $Squalene-H^3$ was not incorporated into the panaquilin sapogenin panaxadiol. This may be due to its poor solubility characteristics and plant absorption, or to the low specific activity. It is possible, but unknown, if any squalene was metabloized into the carbohydrate portion of the panaquilins.