Saponins from Albizia procera extract: Surfactant activity and preliminary analysis

Abstract

We report our results on surface activity and preliminary analytical data of natural surfactant (saponin) from Albizia procera extract. The plant-based extract exhibited moderate reduction of surface tension, low alkalinity, moderate foaming and emulsifying characteristics. The critical micelle concentration is 7.00 × 10−3 g/cc, where the emulsifying power reached a maximum. An abrupt increase in viscosity and conductivity with surfactant concentration was seen in this region. Dirt dispersion results displayed a sharp maximum at the Critical Micelle Concentration. The extracts were analyzed to understand the constituents. The presence of polar and non-polar compounds was seen in Thin Layer Chromatography analysis. Using methanol water solvent system, a good separation of compounds was observed in High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The presence of saponin along with some traces of flavonoids was observed by UV-Visible spectroscopy. Occurrence of triterpenoid saponins were indicated by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analysis. The results obtained from surface tension, foaming and emulsification highlights the efficiency of Albizia procera extract to be employed as a possible environment friendly surface-active agent. This natural surfactant could find various industrial and domestic applications.