Isolation and chemical characterization of saponins from lucerne seeds (Medicago media Pers.)

Abstract

Saponins of lucerne seeds have been prepared by two different methods. It was found by thin-layer chromatography that these glycosides consist of at least four components with one dominant. Soyasapogenols B, C and E were identified in acid hydrolysate of these saponins and in carbohydrate moiety glucose, galactose, rhamnose, small quantity of arabinose and xylose and glucuronic acid. It was established that saponins of lucerne seeds do not haemolyse red blood cells, contrary to top, root and blossom saponins. That may be due to the lack of medicagenic acid glycosides.