Chemical structure of the saponin solanine

Saponins are a class of chemical compounds found in particular abundance in various plant species. More specifically, they are amphipathic glycosides grouped phenomenologically by the soap-like foam they produce when shaken in aqueous solutions, and structurally by having one or more hydrophilic glycoside moieties combined with a lipophilic triterpene or steroid derivative.^[1][2]

Structural variety and biosynthesis[edit]

The aglycone (glycoside-free) portions of the saponins are termed sapogenins. The number of saccharide chains attached to the sapogenin/aglycone core can vary – giving rise to another dimension of nomenclature (monodesmosidic, bidesmosidic, etc.^[1]) – as can the length of each chain. A somewhat dated compilation has the range of saccharide chain lengths being 1–11, with the numbers 2–5 being the most frequent, and with both linear and branched chain saccharides being represented.^[1] Dietary monosaccharides such as D-glucose and D-galactose are among the most common components of the attached chains.^[1]

The lipophilic aglycone can be any one of a wide variety of polycyclic organic structures originating from the serial addition of 10-carbon (C10) terpene units to compose a C30 triterpene skeleton,^[3][4] often with subsequent alteration to produce a C27 steroidal skeleton.^[1] The subset of saponins that are steroidal have been termed saraponins.^[2] Aglycone derivatives can also incorporate nitrogen, so some saponins also present chemical and pharmacologic characteristics of alkaloid natural products. The figure at right above presents the structure of the alkaloid phytotoxin solanine, a monodesmosidic, branched-saccharide steroidal saponin. (The lipophilic steroidal structure is the series of connected six- and five-membered rings at the right of the structure, while the three oxygen-rich sugar rings are at left and below. Note the nitrogen atom inserted into the steroid skeleton at right.)

Sources[edit]

Saponins have historically been understood to be plant-derived, but they have also been isolated from marine organisms such as sea cucumber.^[1][5] Saponins are indeed found in many plants,^[1][6] and derive their name from the soapwort plant (genus Saponaria, family Caryophyllaceae), the root of which was used historically as a soap.^[2] Saponins are also found in the botanical family Sapindaceae, with its defining genus Sapindus (soapberry or soapnut), and in the closely related families Aceraceae (maples) and Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnuts^{[citation needed]}). It is also found heavily in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Gynostemma, Cucurbitaceae) in a form called gypenosides, and ginseng or red ginseng (Panax, Araliaceae) in a form called ginsenosides. Saponins are also found in the unripe fruit of Manilkara zapota (also known as sapodillas), resulting in highly astringent properties. Within these families, this class of chemical compounds is found in various parts of the plant: leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, blossom and fruit.^[7] Commercial formulations of plant-derived saponins, e.g., from the soap bark (or soapbark) tree, Quillaja saponaria, and those from other sources are available via controlled manufacturing processes, which make them of use as chemical and biomedical reagents.^[8]

Test[edit]

Froth Test

Uses plant Gogo (bark) Entada phaseoloides as control. The positive result shows a honeycomb froth that is higher than 2 cm that persists for 10 minutes or longer.

Blood Agar Media (BAM):
Is an agar cup semi-quantitative method that shows positive result of hemolytic halos.^[9]

Role in plant ecology and impact on animal foraging[edit]

In plants, saponins may serve as anti-feedants,^[2][4] and to protect the plant against microbes and fungi.^{[citation needed]} Some plant saponins (e.g. from oat and spinach) may enhance nutrient absorption and aid in animal digestion. However, saponins are often bitter to taste, and so can reduce plant palatability (e.g., in livestock feeds), or even imbue them with life-threatening animal toxicity.^[4] Some saponins are toxic to cold-blooded organisms and insects at particular concentrations.^[4] Further research is needed to define the roles of these natural products in their host organisms, which have been described as "poorly understood" to date.^[4]

Ethnobotany[edit]

Most saponins, which readily dissolve in water, are poisonous to fish.^[10] Therefore, in ethnobotany, they are primarily known for their use by indigenous people in obtaining aquatic food sources.

Since prehistoric times, cultures throughout the world have used piscicidal (fish-killing) plants, mostly those containing saponins, for fishing.^[11][12]

Although prohibited by law, fish poison plants are still widely used by indigenous tribes in Guyana.^[13]

On the Indian Subcontinent, the Gond tribes are known for their use of plant extracts in poison fishing.^[14]

Many of California's Native American tribes traditionally used soaproot, (genus Chlorogalum) and/or the root of various yucca species, which contain saponin, as a fish poison. They would pulverize the roots, mixing in water to create a foam, and then add the suds to a stream. This would kill or incapacitate the fish, which could be gathered easily from the surface of the water. Among the tribes using this technique were the Lassik, the Luiseño, and the Mattole.^[15]

Research and uses[edit]

The amphipathic nature of saponins gives them activity as surfactants with potential ability to interact with cell membrane components, such as cholesterol and phospholipids, possibly making saponins useful for development of cosmetics and drugs.^[16] Saponins have also been used as adjuvants in development of vaccines,^[17] such as Quil A, an extract from the bark of Quillaja saponaria Molina (commonly called "quillaja").^[16][18] This makes them of interest for possible use in subunit vaccines and vaccines directed against intracellular pathogens.^[17] In their use as adjuvants in the production of vaccines, toxicity associated with sterol complexation remains a concern.^[19]

While saponins are promoted commercially as dietary supplements and food ingredients,^[20] and are used in traditional medicine preparations from licorice,^[21][22] there is no high-quality clinical evidence that they have any beneficial effect on human health.^[18] Quillaja is toxic when consumed in large amounts, involving possible liver damage, gastric pain, diarrhea, or other adverse effects.^[18]

Saponins are used for their effects on ammonia emissions in animal feeding.^[23]

See also[edit]

• Phytochemical


• Triterpenoid saponins

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saponins.

• Medical Dictionary on Saponin


• 
  Saponins in Wine, by ScienceDaily, accessed Sep 9,2003


• Molecular Expressions Phytochemical Gallery – Saponin


• Saponins: Suprising [sic] benefits of desert plants


• 
  Other uses of Quillaja Saponins and derived products, some works of different authors.


• How to survive the world's worst diet


• 
  Quillia Extracts JECFA Food Additives Series 48