Qualitative and quantitative analysis of furosine in fresh and processed ginsengs

Furosine (ε-N-2-furoylmethyl-L-lysine, FML) is an amino acid derivative, which is considered to be an important indicator of the extent of damage (deteriorating the quality of amino acid and proteins due to a blockage of lysine and a decrease in digestibility of proteins) during the early stages of the Maillard reaction. In addition, FML has been proven to be harmful because it is closely related to a variety of diseases such as diabetes. The qualitative analysis of FML in fresh and processed ginsengs is confirmed using a high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS).