Heat reflux method was applied to the extraction of panaxatriol (Rg group) and panaxadiols (Rb group) ginsenosides from fresh; air dried and powered adventitious roots of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). Four extraction variables, i.e. nature and concentration of solvent, extraction temperature and duration were investigated with respect to the recovery of ginsenosides. The most favorable conditions were obtained by using powdered root material, extracted with 70% ethanol for 6 h at 80 degrees C. The results obtained with optimized method were compared with ultrasonic- and microwave-assisted extraction methods. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.