Determination of Saponin Amount: Analysis Methods in Food and Herbal Products

Why is Saponin Amount Determination Performed?

What is Saponin?

Saponins are glycoside compounds with surface-active properties that are found naturally in many plant products. Analysis of saponins in food and herbal products is important for product quality, biological effects and potential toxicological evaluation.

What are the Properties and Importance of Saponins?

Properties:

• They are surface active substances and can form emulsions between water and oil.
• They have foam forming properties.
• They contain both hydrophilic and lipophilic groups.

Importance:

• Biological Effects: Saponins have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and cholesterol-lowering properties.
• Food Industry: Used as a natural emulsifier and foaming agent.
• Health Risks: When consumed in high doses, it may show side effects such as stomach disorders or hemolysis.

Saponin Sources in Foods and Herbal Products

1. Cereals Products such as oats and quinoa.
2. Legumes: Soybeans, lentils.
3. Vegetables and Fruits: Spinach, blueberries.
4. Medicinal Herbs: Ginseng, licorice root.
5. Functional Foods and Supplements: Herbal extracts.

Standardization and References for Saponin Determination

1. Reference Standards: Pure saponin compounds such as diosgenin, hecogenin are used as standards.
2. Legal Regulations: Saponin content in food and cosmetic products is determined according to international standards.

Saponin Amount Determination Methods

The methods used to determine the amount of saponin differ according to the chemical and physical properties of the samples.

• Spectrophotometric Method:

Saponins interact with chemical reagents to produce a color reaction. Absorbance measurements are used to calculate concentration.

• Chromatographic Methods

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Saponin components are separated with a polar mobile phase and measured with a detector.

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC): Saponins are separated and stained by moving them on a stationary phase.

• Foam Index Method

The amount of foam produced by agitating the sample with water is measured. Foam formed in samples above a certain concentration is indicative of saponin content.

• Gravimetric Method

Saponins are extracted with solvents and measured by weight after evaporation.

• Mass Spectrometry (MS)

Saponin components are separated by HPLC-MS or GC-MS and mass spectra are analyzed.

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Saponin Quantification.

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