Polysaccharide contents in Panax ginseng roots were evaluated by a spectrophotometry, utilizing the complex formation of ginseng polysaccharide with alcian blue dye in 50 mM ammonium biphos-phate, pH 4.2. The polysaccharide content in red ginseng was about three times higher than that in fresh ginseng when both were extracted with water, and increased about two times when red ginseng was extracted with an alkaline solution. The determination of polysaccharide in various parts of ginseng revealed that main roots contained the component more than fine roots. Fresh ginseng sections stained by the dye showed polysaccharide mainly was found in cortex and combium but not in epidermis.