This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Korean ginseng extracts and their fractions on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevsiae and Saccharomyces uvamm, their glucose consumption and alcohol production. The growth of both yeasts were stimulated by ginseng extracts and their water soluble fractions, but were supressed by ether extracts and an n-butanol extracts. Their growth were enhanced considerably by low molecular weight fractions (< 1,000) in water solubles. Similar results were also obtained with glucose consumption by yeasts. Substances increasing the growth and glucose consumption by yeasts proved to be a low molecular weight fractions (<1,000) in water solubles not saponins. The production of n-propyl alcohol by yeast was enhanced by adding ginseng extracts into the media, but that of ism-butyl alcohol was suppressed at same condition. Key words