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Jin Woo Min

Kyung Hee University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Jin Woo Min's research lab specializes in microbial biotechnology and natural product biochemistry, focusing on the enzymatic transformation of ginsenosides—bioactive compounds in ginseng—into more pharmacologically potent forms. The lab investigates β-glucosidase and glycosidase enzymes from microbial sources, such as *Microbacterium esteraromaticum* and *Leuconostoc citreum*, to enhance the therapeutic potential of ginseng-derived compounds. Key research directions include enzyme characterization, ginsenoside metabolism, and the development of bioactive ingredients for health and anti-aging applications.

ginsenosidesβ-glucosidaseenzymatic transformationmicrobial biotechnologybioactive compounds

Research Overview

Papers
57
Total Citations
868
Papers (5y)
8
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
8total
2019
2020
2022
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
24total
20192020202220242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|123 citations·2015
Effect of White, Red and Black Ginseng on Physicochemical Properties and Ginsenosides
Yan Jin, Yeon-Ju Kim, Jin-A Jeon, Chao Wang, Jin-Woo Min, Hae-Yong Noh, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
2
Article|105 citations·2012
Enzymatic biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1 to 20(S)-Rg3 by recombinant β-glucosidase from Microbacterium esteraromaticum
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jin-Woo Min, Dong‐Uk Yang, Yeon-Ju Kim, Deok‐Chun Yang, Deok‐Chun Yang, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Article|74 citations·2012
Enzymatic Biotransformation of Ginsenoside Rb1 to Compound K by Recombinant β-Glucosidase from Microbacterium esteraromaticum
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jin-Woo Min, Yan Jin, Chao Wang, Yeon-Ju Kim, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

We cloned and characterized a β-glucosidase (bgp3) gene from Microbacterium esteraromaticum isolated from ginseng field. The bgp3 gene consists of 2,271 bp encoding 756 amino acids which have homology to the glycosyl hydrolase family 3 protein domain. The molecular mass of purified Bgp3 was 80 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme (Bgp3) catalyzed the conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 to the more pharmacologically active minor ginsenoside Rd and compound K. The Bgp3 hydrolyzed the outer glucose

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
Article|58 citations·2011
Biotransformation of Ginsenoside Rb1to Prosapogenins, Gypenoside XVII, Ginsenoside Rd, Ginsenoside F2, and Compound K by Leuconostoc mesenteroides DC102
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jinying Piao, Jin-Woo Min, Ho-Bin Kim, Sang-Rae Kim, Dong‐Uk Yang, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1Journal of Ginseng ResearchOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
5
Article|51 citations·2008
백삼, 발효인삼, 홍삼 농축액의 이화학적 특성
공병만, 박민주, 민진우, 김호빈, 김세화, 김세영, 양덕춘

Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics were investigated among white (WG), fermented (FG) and red ginseng (RG) extracts. We observed maximum contents of extractable solids in FG, but viscosity was lower than other ginseng extracts. The contents of ash and crude protein of FG were higher than those of other ginseng extracts. The contents of carbohydrate were similar, but component Na and cruid lipids were maximum in RG. we extended our study on comparison of the calories among WG, FG

6
Article|50 citations·2012
Biotransformation of ginsenosides Re and Rg1 into ginsenosides Rg2 and Rh1 by recombinant β-glucosidase
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jin-Woo Min, Sathiyamoorthy Subramaniyam, Dong‐Uk Yang, Yeon-Ju Kim, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q2Biotechnology Letters
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
7
Article|47 citations·2011
Bioconversion of ginsenoside Rb1 into compound K by Leuconostoc citreum LH1 isolated from kimchi
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jinying Piao, Jin-Woo Min, Dong‐Uk Yang, Hee Nyeong Lee, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q3Brazilian Journal of MicrobiologyOA

About 40 different types of ginsenoside (ginseng saponin), a major pharmacological component of ginseng, have been identified along with their physiological activities. Among these, compound K has been reported to prevent the development of and the metastasis of cancer by blocking the formation of tumors and suppressing the invasion of cancerous cells. In this study, ginsenoside Rb1 was converted into compound K via interaction with the enzyme secreted by β-glucosidase active bacteria, Leuconost

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8
Article|43 citations·2012
Enzymatic Transformation of Ginsenoside Rb1 by Lactobacillus pentosus Strain 6105 from Kimchi
Se‐Hwa Kim, Jin-Woo Min, Lin‐Hu Quan, Sungyoung Lee, Dong‐Uk Yang, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1Journal of Ginseng ResearchOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|41 citations·2011
Bioconversion of ginsenoside rb1 into compound k by Leuconostoc citreum LH1 isolated from kimchi.
Lin‐Hu Quan, Jinying Piao, Jin-Woo Min, Dong‐Uk Yang, Hee Nyeong Lee, Deok‐Chun Yang
PubMedOA

About 40 different types of ginsenoside (ginseng saponin), a major pharmacological component of ginseng, have been identified along with their physiological activities. Among these, compound K has been reported to prevent the development of and the metastasis of cancer by blocking the formation of tumors and suppressing the invasion of cancerous cells. In this study, ginsenoside Rb1 was converted into compound K via interaction with the enzyme secreted by β-glucosidase active bacteria, Leuconost

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
10
Article|38 citations·2012
Enzymatic transformation of the major ginsenoside Rb2 to minor compound Y and compound K by a ginsenoside-hydrolyzing β-glycosidase from Microbacterium esteraromaticum
Lin‐Hu Quan, Yan Jin, Chao Wang, Jin-Woo Min, Yeon-Ju Kim, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q2Journal of Industrial Microbiology & BiotechnologyOA

The ginsenoside-hydrolyzing β-glycosidase (Bgp3) derived from Microbacterium esteraromaticum transformed the major ginsenoside Rb2 to more pharmacologically active minor ginsenosides including compounds Y and K. The bgp3 gene consists of 2,271 bp encoding 756 amino acids which have homology to the glycosyl hydrolase family 3 protein domain. Bgp3 is capable of hydrolyzing beta-glucose links and arabinose links. HPLC analysis of the time course of ginsenoside Rb2 hydrolysis by Bgp3 (0.1 mg enzyme

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|33 citations·2011
Effects of Red Ginseng Extract on the Epididymal Sperm Motility of Mice Exposed to Ethanol
Mi Jang, Jin-Woo Min, Jun-Gyo In, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q3International Journal of Toxicology

The protective effects of red ginseng extract and ginseng wine against ethanol-induced male reproductive toxicity were evaluated in male mice using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 and fed plain saline, 6 g/kg per d of ethanol in saline, red ginseng extract plus ethanol, or a fermented preparation of red ginseng extract daily for 5 weeks. We found that the average seminal vesicle weight was significantly lower in the ethanol-treated group compared to the co

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
12
Article|25 citations·2014
Use of Lactobacillus rossiae DC05 for bioconversion of the major ginsenosides Rb1 and Re into the pharmacologically active ginsenosides C-K and Rg2
Md. Amdadul Huq, Yeon-Ju Kim, Jin-Woo Min, Kwi Sik Bae, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q2Food Science and Biotechnology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
13
Article|21 citations·2012
Changes of Ginsenosides and Physiochemical Properties in Ginseng by New 9 Repetitive Steaming and Drying Process
Yan Jin, Yeon-Ju Kim, Jin-A Jeon, Chao Wang, Jin-Woo Min, Sun‐Young Jung, Deok‐Chun Yang
Korean Journal of Plant Resources

구증구포방법은 기존의 홍삼제조방법에서와 같이 9회 반복 과정으로 새로운 신규사포닌 등 성분변화가 일어나지만 시간이 오래 걸리고 복잡하며 어떤 특수 성분이 얼마나 증가 되는지 보고 되어 있지 않다. 또한 기존의 구증구포방법은 제조공정 중 건조시 보통 <TEX>$60^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 열풍건조를 하기 때문에 건조시 관리의 부족으로 간혹 벤조피렌에 노출되는 경우가 있다. 본 방법은 새로운 자동 구증구포방법으로 제조시간이 약 2배정도 단축되며 특히 건조시 습열냉각건조를 통하기 때문에 벤조피렌함량이 거의 검출되지 않았다. 또한 사포닌 변환 등은 기존 구증구포방법과 같이 사포닌 변화가 일어나 홍삼에서만 나타나는 Rg3와 기타 효능활성물질 등이 분석되었다. 인삼사포닌의 경우에는 증포횟수가 증가함에 따라 흡수가 어려운 major ginsenoside(Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2 및 Rd)의 함량이 점차적으로 감소되고 대신 흡수가 빠르고 항암활성이 강한 minor ginse

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
14
Article|21 citations·2014
Amelioration of insulin resistance by Rk 1 + Rg 5 complex under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions
Deok-Chun Yang, Shree Priya Ponnuraj, Fayeza Md. Siraj, Sera Kang, Hae-Yong Noh, Jin-Woo Min, Yeon-Ju Kim
Pharmacognosy ResearchOA

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome exaggerated by stress conditions. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) impairs the insulin signaling pathway making the diabetic conditions worsen. Pharmacological agents are supplied externally to overcome this malfunction. Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng C.A Meyer possesses many pharmacological properties and are used for the treatment of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the Rk1 +Rg5 complex on the amelioration of insulin re

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|14 citations·2012
Pedobacter ginsengiterrae sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field
Van-An Hoang, Yeon-Ju Kim, Ngoc‐Lan Nguyen, Jin-Woo Min, Deok‐Chun Yang
SJR Q1INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY

A Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial strain that was motile by gliding and produced a pink pigment, designated DCY49(T), was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in a mountainous region of Chungbuk province, South Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY49(T) belonged to the genus Pedobacter (93.0-96.3 % similarity). Strain DCY49(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (containing C16 : 1ω7c,

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyPharmacologyFood ScienceAerospace EngineeringInformation SystemsDermatology

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