An accurate and cost-effective method for the quantification of total triterpenoid and steroidal saponins in raw plant materials

Abstract

Saponins are heterosides widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Their properties are used in many industrial sectors such as food, cosmetics, agricultural, pharmaceutical and their use tend to increase due to the tendency of the market to use natural ingredients [1]. Although many techniques exist to quantify saponins: gravimetric, foaming, spectrophotometric or chromatographic [2], none of these methods makes it possible to be at the same time accurate, fast, inexpensive with a response similar for the triterpenoid and steroidal saponins. A colorimetric method constituted of p-anisaldehyde and sulfuric acid was developed and avoids all the above disadvantages. Parameters used in this method permit to obtain a response similar for steroidal and triterpenoid saponins with a high specificity in complex matrices reducing the sample preparation step. The method was