Abstract: Abstract Composition and contents of saponins of Panax quinquefolium cultivated in Yunnan, China, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chroma-tography(HPLC)on an N-18 ODS-column using aqueous acetonitrile containing KH2-P04 or H3PO4 as the mobile phase, flow rate: 1 ml/min, detection wave length 202 nm, chart speed; 2.5 mm/min. Contents of the major saponins including ginsenoside Rbl, Rb2, Re, Rd, Re, Rgl, Ro and malonyl saponins (malonyl gensenoside Rbl, Rb2, and Re) were markedly different according to the age, time of harvest, co-mmercial grades, and the underground parts of the plant.

Key words: Panax quinquefolium； saponins