인삼 saponin 중에서 조성 비율이 가장 큰 ginsenoside R $b_1$을 약효면에서 훨씬 우수한 ginsenoside-Rd로 선택적 전환할 수 있는 전환효소를 Rhizopus japonicus 배양물로부터 순수하게 정제한 후 그 효소학적 특성을 조사하였다. 본 효소는 pH 4.8~5.0, 45$^{circ}C$에서 그 활성도가 가장 높았으며 pH4~9의 범위에서 안정하였고, pH5.0에서 6$0^{circ}C$ 열처리할 경우 50% 실활하는데 2시간이 소요되었다. M $n^{++}$, F $e^{++}$에 의해 효소활성이 촉진되었으며 C $u^{++}$, A $g^+$에 의해서는 저해되었다. 효소 저해제중에는 EDTA, o-phenanthroline 등에 의해 저해되기도 했다. 본 효소는 당류중에는 gentiobiose, cellulose만을, glycoside 중에서는 amygdalin, purnasin, salicin 등을 분해할 수 있었으며 ginsenoside R $b_1$, 이외의 다른 ginsenoside는 전혀 분해할 수 없었다. 본 효소의 Km치는 total saponin 기질 및 ginsenoside Rb group saponin 기질은 ginsenoside R $b_1$으로서 5.0mM 이었으며, gentiobiose는 4.8mM, amygdalin은 3.7mM 이었다.
In 14 kinds of ginsenosides in ginseng saponin, ginsenoside Rbr is contained the most abundantly. But ginsenoside Rd which is similar to ginsenoside R $b_1$in structure, was known to be superior to ginsenoside R $b_1$pharmaceutically. The convertible enzyme which can transform ginsenoside R $b_1$to Binsenoside Rd specifically among ginseng saponin, was purified homogeneously from Rhizopus japonicus. The optimal pH for the action of the enzyme was pH 4.8 to 5.0, and optimal temperature was 45$^{circ}C$. The enzyme was stable in the range of pH 4.0 to 9.0, and the half activity of enzyme was remained by the thermal treatment at 6$0^{circ}C$ for 2 hours. The enzyme activity was enhanced by addition of M $n^{++}$ or Fe, though inhibited by EDTA or o-phenanthroline. On the substrate specificity, the enzyme was. able to hydrolyze gentiobiose, cellobiose, amygdalin and prunasin, but not to hydrolyze any other kinds of Binsenosides besides Binsenoside R $b_1$. Km values of the enzyme for ginsenoside R $b_1$, gentiobiose and amygdalin were 5.0mM, 4.8mM and 3.7mM, respectively.3.7mM, respectively.y.
