Saponin Solution Research Articles

Natural surfactant used as an additive in the enzymatic-homogenate synergistic extraction of piceatannol, resveratrol, and myricetin from the myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) fruit

In this study, three different target analytes from the fruit of myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) were extracted via an enzymatic-homogenate synergistic extraction (EHSE) process, and 10 different aqueous solutions of natural surfactants were selected as extraction solvents, thus enabling the simultaneous extraction of piceatannol, resveratrol, and myricetin from the fruit of myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa). Important factors affecting the yield of piceatannol, resveratrol, and myricetin, including enzyme type, enzyme concentration, pH, surfactant type and dosage, homogenization time, liquid‒solid ratio, incubation and extraction time, incubation time and extraction temperature, were optimized via single-factor experiments. Three important parameters were optimized via the Box‒Behnken design: the liquid‒solid ratio, the incubation–extraction time, and the reaction temperature. The final optimum extraction process conditions were as follows: β-glucosidase concentration, 3.0%, homogenate; time, 3 min; pH, 5; tea saponin concentration, 0.8%; liquid‒solid ratio, 45 mL/g; incubation–extraction time, 2.5 h; and temperature, 67.5 °C. With the optimized experimental parameters, the piceatannol, resveratrol, and myricetin yields were 742.12 ± 37.11 μg/g, 18.58 ± 0.94 μg/g, and 24.83 ± 1.25 μg/g, respectively. Methodological validation and comparison experiments with traditional solvents demonstrated that EHSE is a successful, green, and safe method for extracting active plant components. This approach employs an ecologically benign water-based solution of tea saponin as the extraction solvent, and it combines enzymatic and homogenate procedures to increase extraction efficiency. This study provides a reasonable basis for the application and research of synergistic extraction technology and suggests that more diverse solvent choices should be considered.

Protective effect of Albizia chinensis saponin on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats focus on mucus and mucosal barriers

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Albizia chinensis saponin on ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer in rats and elucidate its mechanisms. SD rats were deprived of water for 24 hours before the experiment. The control group and model group were administered water by gavage, and the positive drug group received rabeprazole sodium solution(40 mg·kg~(-1)) by gavage. The experimental groups were given different doses of Albizia chinensis saponin solution(3, 10, and 30 mg·kg~(-1)). After 30 minutes, the control group received 1.5 mL of water by gavage, while the other groups were administered an equal volume of 95% ethanol for modeling. After six hours, the rats were killed by cervical dislocation, and the stomachs were collected. The ulcer area was measured, and the ulcer index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in gastric tissue. Periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining was used to evaluate the distribution of gastric mucosal surface mucus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of phospholipids and aminohexose in the gastric mucosa. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of the bicarbonate transporter, matrix metalloproteinase, and tight junction-associated proteins in gastric tissue. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) staining was conducted to quantify the number of positive cells for secreted mucin and tight junction-associated proteins. The results showed that the gastric tissue surface of rats in the control group was smooth without ulceration, and the gastric ulcer index of rats in the model group was 35±11. Albizia chinensis saponin at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg·kg~(-1) resulted in inhibition rates of gastric ulcer of 46%(P<0.01), 85%(P<0.001), and 100%(P<0.001), respectively. Severe disruption of gastric mucosal structure and absence of the mucus layer were observed in the model group. Compared with the model group, the Albizia chinensis saponin group showed intact gastric mucosal surface mucus layer, significantly increased levels of phospholipids and aminohexose in the mucus, increased number of MUC5AC positive cells, and upregulated expression levels of the bicarbonate transporter SLC26A3 and CFTR. It also showed decreased phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun, reduced expression levels of MMP-8, elevated expression of TIMP-1, and increased expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1. In conclusion, Albizia chinensis saponin enhances the function of the mucus-bicarbonate barrier by upregulating the content of MUC5AC, phospholipids, and aminohexose and increasing the expression levels of the bicarbonate transporter SLC26A3 and CFTR. Moreover, Albizia chinensis saponin exerts its protective effects on gastric ulcers by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway to prevent excessive activation of MMP-8, thereby reducing the degradation of Occludin and ZO-1 and enhancing the mucosal barrier function. In summary, Albizia chinensis saponin exerts its anti-gastric ulcer effects by simultaneously enhancing the mucus barrier and the mucosal barrier.

Crude Saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Reduce Fusarium Wilt Infection in Tomato Seedlings

Quinoa saponins are pentacyclic triterpene compounds composed of one triterpenoid glycoside and two different sugar chains. Previous studies have showed that natural quinoa saponins showed little or no antifungal activity, and there are few reports about their antifungal effects in recent decades. Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is the most serious for tomatoes in the field and under greenhouse conditions. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of different concentrations and application modes of crude saponins from quinoa bran against the causal pathogen of tomato wilt under a greenhouse experiment. The results showed that the anti-FOL activity of quinoa saponins was weak in vitro, but significantly enhanced in vivo. Tomato seeds and seedlings treated with solution of quinoa saponins at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L significantly reduced the disease incidence (%) of tomato Fusarium wilt. The treatment types of saponin solution have influence on the preventive effects (%) of tomato seedlings against Fusarium wilt, among them, root soaking > foliar spray > seed soaking. The treatment of seed soaking with quinoa saponins inhibited germination of tomato seeds to some extent. However, the germination rate of tomato seeds after saponin soaking was comparable to the chemical pesticide (thiram carboxin); therefore, it could be used to control tomato wilt disease. This is due to the fact that the antifungal activity of quinoa saponins in vivo was much higher than that in vitro when the saponin concentration was between 0.5–1.0 g/L, indicating that the antifungal activity of quinoa saponins may be achieved mainly by inducing resistance. This investigation supports the potential use of quinoa saponins as a supplier of antifungal compounds, and could be the foundation for a future study examining the use of quinoa bran as a new resource against FOL.

Removal of mixed contaminants from landfill leachate-contaminated soil by flushing with bio-surfactant: laboratory column tests.

Landfill leachate-contaminated soil is widespread all over the world. In order to study the removal of mixed contaminants from landfill leachate-contaminated soil by flushing with bio-surfactant, soil column test was conducted to select an optimum concentration of bio-surfactant saponin (SAP) at first. Then, the removal efficiencies of organic contaminants, ammonia nitrogen, and heavy metals from landfill leachate-contaminated soil by flushing with SAP were studied. At last, the toxicity of contaminated soil before and after flushing was estimated by sequential extraction of heavy metals and plant growth test. The test results showed that the SAP solution with the concentration of 2.5 CMC could effectively remove the mixed contaminants from soil and would not introduce excessive pollutants of SAP in soil. Specifically, the removal efficiencies of organic contaminant and ammonia nitrogen were 47.01% and 90.42%, respectively. And the removal efficiencies of Cu, Zn, and Cd were 29.42%, 22.55%, and 17.68%, respectively. During flushing, hydrophobic organic compounds as well as physisorption and ion-exchange ammonia nitrogen in soil were removed by the solubilization effect of SAP, and heavy metals were removed by the chelation of SAP. After flushing with SAP, the reduced partition index (IR) value of Cu and Cd increased, and the mobility index (MF) value of Cu decreased. In addition, flushing with SAP reduced the plant toxicity of contaminated soil, and the residual SAP in soil promoted the plant growth. Therefore, flushing with SAP offered great potentials in remediating the landfill leachate-contaminated soil.

Foaming and emulsifying properties of saponin glycosides: a natural non-ionic surfactant

Most synthetic surfactants are harmful to humans and can cause health problems after prolonged exposure or consumption. This study explores in extensive detail the use of a natural surfactant saponin, extracted from fruit of S. mukorossi, to synthesise oil in water nanoemulsions and gas–liquid foams. The effects of saponin concentration (0.1–2 wt%), pH conditions (2–10) and salt concentration (100–500 mM) on stability and average droplet diameter of sunflower oil-in-water emulsion were investigated. Emulsions were stable at pH 4–10 and salt concentration 100–400 mM for up to 30 days. Critical micellar concentration of 0.5 wt% and the average hydrodynamic diameter of saponin micelle of 4.25 nm are observed. A gas inducing impeller-based device was used to generate foam from saponin solution having different gas hold up values (εG: 0.31, 0.45 and 0.62). Average bubble size of foam and its stability (drainage rate and half-life) are measured. 100% of saponin solution gets incorporated into foam in every trial. Foam drainage rate increased and half-life decreased with increase in gas holdup. It is shown that saponin can be an effective natural and non-toxic alternative to synthetic surfactants for various industrial applications.

Comparative Evaluation of Carboxyhemoglobin Quantification in Postmortem Whole Blood by CO-Oximetry and Headspace Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection and Atom Absorption Spectrophotometry.

A comparative evaluation of two methods used for carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) determination in postmortem whole blood was performed: carbon monoxide (CO)-oximetry measuring at 128 wavelengths and headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (HS-GC--FID) where CO was determined after catalytic reduction of CO to CH4 and Fe was determined by atom absorption spectrophotometry (AAS, 248.3 nm). An aliquot of 100 µL whole blood was loaded into the CO-oximetry module. In the HS-GC--FID analysis, to 1.0 mL of whole blood, 3.0 mL of saponin solution was added, mixed and centrifuged. To 20 mL HS vials, 400 µL of the supernatant was added and the vials were immediately sealed. One milliliter of potassium hexacyanoferrat (III) solution was added through the HS septum and mixed. The samples were incubated at 70°C for 5 min. CO was separated using He as carrier gas and a CP-Molsieve 5 Å PLOT capillary column. Fe was determined using 400 µL of the saponin supernatant diluted to 10 mL by water. During a period of ∼3years, 124 postmortem whole blood samples were analyzed. Bland-Altman method comparison showed satisfactory agreement and no significant bias between the methods for the whole saturation range (5 to 85% COHb). Five samples, all with %COHb >40, showed deviations of more than 10% COHb in absolute terms. One sample, in the lower COHb range <10%, was false negative on the CO-oximetry method. The between-assay accuracy, reported as bias, at 60% COHb was -0.8% and -9.0%, and precision, reported as relative standard deviation, was 1.6% and 7.7%, for the CO-oximetry and HS-GC--FID-AAS methods, respectively. Both methods obtained satisfactory results in proficiency testing rounds, with z-scores <±2 (n = 11). This study showed that the CO-oximetry method based on the 128-wavelength principle and the HS-GC--FID-AAS method are comparable and satisfactory for %COHb determination in postmortem whole blood.

Investigation of foaming behavior in herbal extracts via the characterization of solution environment for reverse osmosis concentration

Foaming can be a challenge in many herbal extract processing, particularly with membrane technology involved. The foaming behavior of saponins and herbal solution containing saponins in the static system were investigated to gain more fundamental understanding on the correlations of foaming behavior- solution environment properties. To identify the cause and effects of foaming behavior under various conditions, foaming ability, foam sizes, as well as the physical properties (i.e. surface tension, zeta potential, viscosity, conductivity and pH) of the saponin solutions were characterized. The surface tension of mimic solution with the presence of saponins, polysaccharides and proteins was measured at 43.21 N/m, similar to the result of Sijunzi Decoction herbal extracts at 40.99 N/m, while other properties differed substantially. Foaming was confirmed to cause pressure drop in the dynamic concentration by reverse osmosis, while the foam height might pose insignificant impact on the magnitude of pressure drop. Significant feed pressure drop from 1.2 MPa to 1.0 MPa was observed in dynamic reverse osmosis concentration test of herbal extracts operated, while the pressure drop was negligible when operated at lower pressure operation (<0.6 MPa) with the same feed flow rate.

Impact of nanoparticles–surfactant solutions on carbon dioxide and methane wettabilities of organic-rich shale and CO2/brine interfacial tension: Implication for carbon geosequestration

Rock wetting behaviour and CO2/brine interfacial tension (IFT) have significant impacts on enhanced hydrocarbon recovery (EOR) and carbon geo-sequestration (CGS) projects. Influence of nanoparticles/surfactant solutions (NPS) flooding on EOR and CGS in sandstone and carbonate formation have been examined in recent studies. But the impact of NPS on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) wettabilities of organic-rich shale and CO2/brine IFT is presently unclear. Thus, we measured contact angles, [advancing (θa) and receding (θr)] for CO2/brine and CH4/brine on Marcellus shale with high total organic carbon (14.8 wt%), as well as CO2/brine IFT with Krüss drop shape analyzer (DSA 100) through the sessile drop and pendant drop techniques. Prior to IFT and contact angles measurement, the shale samples were aged in NPS solutions to evaluate the impact of NPS treatment on CO2 geo-storage. Low-cost rice husk silica nanoparticles and saponin surfactant were used for the study due to their environmental friendliness and economic attractiveness. At geo-storage conditions (25 MPa and 353 K), the advancing contact angle of untreated shale was measured as θa=116.22° (CO2-wet condition), whereas the receding contact angle was measured as θr=82.88° (near neutral wettability). However, θa reduced by 56.34° whereas θr reduced by 56.76° when the shale substrate was treated with 0.1 wt% SiO 2 and 0. 2 wt% saponin solutions. CO2/NPS IFT were lower than CO2/brine IFT and the CH4 wettability of the Marcellus shale was significantly lower than the CO2 wettability at all investigated conditions. Contact angles decreased with temperature and increased with CO2/CH4 pressure, whereas CO2/NPS IFT exhibited an opposite trend. The reduction in contact angles and CO2/brine IFT by NPS have significant impacts on adsorption trapping of CO2 in organic-rich shale and hydrocarbon recovery from unconventional shale reservoirs.

Distinguishing Antioxidant Molecules with Near-Infrared Photoluminescence of DNA-Wrapped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

In this study, two biomolecule solutions were distinguished using the capacity difference in the near-infrared photoluminescence (PL) of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Biosensing techniques using sensitive responses of SWNTs have been intensively studied. When a small amount of an oxidant or reductant solution was injected into the SWNT suspensions, the PL intensity of the SWNTs is significantly changed. However, distinguishing between different molecules remains challenging. In this study, we comparably injected saponin and banana solutions, which are known antioxidant chemicals, into an SWNT suspension. The SWNTs were solubilized by wrapping them with DNA molecules. The results show that 69.1 and 155.2% increases of PL intensities of SWNTs were observed after injection of 20 and 59 μg/mL saponin solutions, respectively. Subsequently, the increase in PL was saturated. With the banana solution, 18.1 and 175.4% increases in PL intensities were observed with 20 and 59 μg/mL banana solutions, respectively. Based on these results, the two antioxidant molecules could be distinguished based on the different PL responses of the SWNTs. In addition, the much higher saturated PL intensities observed with the banana solution suggests that the banana solution increased the capacity of the PL increase for the same SWNT suspension. These results provide helpful information for establishing biosensing applications of SWNTs, particularly for distinguishing chemicals.

Nanoemulsification of Kaempferia galanga essential oil: Characterizations and molecular interactions explaining fungal growth suppression

Present study envisaged the development of nanoemulsions (NEs) based on essential oil (EO) of Kaempferia galanga using biosurfactant, saponin. Aromatic components of the distilled EO were characterized in GC-MS and the oil was formulated to prepare NEs with saponin at three different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) using ultrasonic acoustic energy at three individual time points (3, 5 and 10 min). NEs prepared with ≥ 1% saponin solution with ≥ 10 min ultrasonication were found stable even after accelerated storage condition at 54 ± 1 °C for 14 days. Briefly, NEs at 400 µg/mL concentration, showed hydrodynamic droplet diameter of 71.68 nm with the corresponding PDI 0.52 and zeta potential − 20.05 mV. TEM images confirmed the spherical morphology and droplet diameters. NEs exhibited excellent efficacy against A. flavus 2547 (32.3 µg/mL) followed by A. flavus 2838 (45.6 µg/mL), A. flavus 8601 (56.2 µg/mL) and A. flavus 6641 (69.7 µg/mL). Molecular modelling studies revealed the most promising binding complexes of 6IV7-ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (−56.22 kcal/mol), the key component responsible for interfering functional properties of the native ligand. Additive interaction effect of 4QBJ-pentadecane (−50.15 kcal/mol) and 6JOH-ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (−45.91 kcal/mol) attributed to the extraordinary favourable binding energy for non-bonded covalent and lipophilic interactions towards the selective target proteins.

Tea saponin additive to extract eleutheroside B and E from Eleutherococcus senticosus by ultrasonic mediation and its application in a semi-pilot scale

The safety of ethanol in operations and its effects on human health are gradually being questioned. Under this premise, we attempted to use the natural surfactant tea saponin, which originates from the processing residues of camellia oil, as the additive of the extraction solvent and to extract eleutheroside B and eleutheroside E in the roots and rhizomes of E. senticosus by ultrasonic mediation. After a single-factor experiment, extraction kinetics at different powers and reaction temperatures, and Box–Behnken design optimization, the optimal conditions obtained were 0.3% tea saponin solution as the extraction solvent, 20 mL/g liquid–solid ratio, 250 W ultrasonic irradiation power (43.4 mW/g ultrasonic power density) and 40 min ultrasonic irradiation time. Under optimal conditions, satisfactory yields of eleutheroside B (1.06 ± 0.04 mg/g) and eleutheroside E (2.65 ± 0.12 mg/g) were obtained with semi pilot scale ultrasonic extraction equipment. The experiments showed that compared with the traditional thermal extraction process, the extraction time is significantly reduced at lower operating temperatures.

INVESTIGATION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE METHOD OF DIFFERENTIAL SPECTROPHOTOMETRY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF OVERLAPPING ABSORPTION BANDS OF TRITERPENE SAPONINS CHROMOPHORES AND THEIR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

A detailed analysis of the absorption spectra of mono- and bidesmoside triterpene glycosides was performed. It is suggested that the maximum in the region of 198–208 nm is attributed to the absorption of the double bond in the cyclohexene ring of the aglycone. The second less seen maximum at a wavelength of 280 nm is observed in the spectrum of saponin Quillaja Saponaria and is almost completely absent in the spectrum of saponin Mukorossi Sapindus. Identification of this maximum is extremely difficult, since its presence can be due to both the aldehyde group in the aglycone and the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in the carbohydrate molecules.&#x0D; Using the method of differential spectrophotometry, a method for decomposing the UV spectrum of saponins into its constituent components is proposed and justified. A spectral analysis was performed, including the assignment of the absorption bands to the functional groups of the studied compounds. The possibility of estimating changes in the spectral properties of glycoside solutions with changes in the acidity of the medium is considered. The possibility of a bathochromic shift of the maximum absorption of the aglyconic part of saponin depending on the microenvironment (the structure of the carbohydrate part) and changes in the pH of the solution is established. It is shown that the bands at 274, 280.5 nm correspond to n-π* transitions of carbonyl and carboxyl groups and are determined only in the regions of high concentrations in Quillaja Saponaria saponin solutions. Based on the results obtained, calibration models for the quantitative determination of saponins in solutions are proposed. The regression analysis of the calibration equations is carried out, the main statistical indicators are calculated.

Synthesis, characterization and stress-testing of a robust quillaja saponin stabilized oil-in-water phytocannabinoid nanoemulsion

BackgroundThis study describes the design, optimization, and stress-testing of a novel phytocannabinoid nanoemulsion generated using high-pressure homogenization. text {QNaturale}^{circledR }, a plant-derived commercial emulsifier containing quillaja saponin, was used to stabilize the lipid phase droplets in water. Stress-testing was performed on this nanoemulsion in order to evaluate its chemical and colloidal stability under the influence of different environmental factors, encompassing both physical and chemical stressors.MethodsExtensive optimization studies were conducted to arrive at an ideal nanoemulsion formulation. A coarse emulsion containing 16.6 wt% CBD-enriched cannabis distillate and 83.4 wt% carrier (soybean) oil dispersed in 10 wt% text {QNaturale}^{circledR } (1.5 wt% quillaja saponin) solution after 10 homogenization cycles at a pressure of 30,000 psi produced a stable nanoemulsion. This nanoemulsion was then subjected to the stress studies.ResultsThe optimized nanoemulsion had an average droplet diameter of ca. 120 nm and average droplet surface ζ potentials of ca. -30 mV. It was imaged and characterized by a variety of protocols. It proved to be stable to droplet agglomeration and phase separation upon storage under ambient conditions for 6 weeks, as well as under a variety of physical stressors such as heat, cold, dilution, and carbonation. pH values ≤2 and moderately high salt concentrations (> 100 mM), however, destabilized the nanoemulsion, eventually leading to phase separation. Cannabis potency, determined by HPLC, was detrimentally affected by any changes in the nanoemulsion phase stability.ConclusionsQuillaja saponin stabilized cannabidiol(CBD)-enriched nanoemulsions are stable, robust systems even at low emulsifier concentrations, and are therefore significant from both a scientific as well as a commercial perspective.

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE SUM OF SAPONINS IN THE FRUIT OF THE CHINESE TREE LYCIUM CHINENSE MILL.

The objects of the study were Mature dried fruits of Chinese birch (Lycium chinense Mill., this. Solanaceae (Solanaceae)). Four samples were examined: no. 1 (Gifts of Pamir, Russia), no. 2 (Gullin Tianhe Pharmaceutical, China), no. 3 (A. J. Alliance, Russia), №. 4 (Globaltorg, Russia). The purpose of this work is to determine the content of the sum of saponins in Chinese fruit trees by spectrophotometry.&#x0D; By direct spectrophotometry, after reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid, the content of the sum of saponins in the raw material of Chinese wood was determined. The expediency of using the spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of saponins in extracts from the fruit of Chinese wood is proved. The values of the optical density of the saponin solution were recorded at a wavelength of 250-500 nm. Analytical maxima of the studied compounds were determined at 325 nm typical for escin. Optimal conditions for the extraction of saponins from the raw materials of this plant (extractant – 40% ethanol; the ratio "raw material – extractant" – 1 : 50; extraction time – 90 minutes; the degree of grinding of raw materials – 0.5 mm) are justified. It was determined that the error of a single determination of the saponin content in Chinese fruit with a confidence probability of 95% is ±1.93%. It was found that the content of saponins in the studied samples of Chinese wood varies in the range of 4.94 to 5.03%.

Micro-bubbles enhanced removal of diesel oil from the contaminated soil in washing/flushing with surfactant and additives

Diesel removal of contaminated soil by washing/flushing was enhanced with micro-bubbles and selected surfactants based on their solubilization properties and decontamination capacities. The influencing factors were studied to aim for increasing washing/flushing efficacy. The mixture solution of saponin and cyclodextrin increased the removal efficiency significantly compared to the single-agent solution flushing with an increasing range of 20%–31%. Meanwhile, micro-bubble enhancement increased over 20% of the diesel removal for the sandy soil flushing. As the flushing process may cause soil eroded, the TDS and soil solute in flushing solution were measured to evaluate the circulation time. The 90 min flushing time ensured the cleaning goal and reserved the soil solute by circulation flushing. The soil solute, especially the electron acceptor (NO3-) , was remained in the soil, which was highly demanded for residual diesel biodegradation of loam soil. It is concluded that mixed agents, circulation of flushing solution, and micro-bubbles increased the diesel removal, and the circulation flushing could be very promising in practical applications.

PECULARITIES OF MICELLE FORMATION OF PENTACYCLIC GLYCOSIDES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The regularities of changes in structural characteristics during the formation of associates in micellar aqueous solutions of triterpene saponins Quillaja Saponin and Sapindus Mukorossi are considered. The dependence of surface tension and adsorption on the concentration of an aqueous saponin solution is analyzed, and the values of surface activity and parameters of the adsorption layer are calculated. The average values of diffusion coefficients for spherical and cylindrical micelles are determined based on the measurement of the solution viscosity. The effect of the electrolyte solution on the surface tension and viscosity of glycoside solutions is studied: when the electrolyte is introduced into the saponin solution, the surface tension decreases, which leads to a shift in the critical concentration of micelle formation towards lower concentrations. The introduction of potassium chloride electrolyte reduces the degree of ionization and, as a result of suppressing the electroviscosity effect, leads to a decrease in the viscosity of the solution. The dynamic light scattering method is used to determine the size of glycoside aggregates. It is established that there are aggregates of several sizes in an aqueous solution of saponin. The size and shape of aggregates were calculated using the concepts of micelle packing parameters. In the region of very low concentrations of glycoside solutions, when approaching the critical concentration of micelle formation in the solution, there are spherical micelles. A further increase in the saponin concentration in the solution leads to a decrease in the content of structures with a hydrodynamic radius of 50-80 nm and the appearance of larger agglomerates with sizes greater than 100 nm. It was found that micelles acquire a less hydrated and more densely packed cylindrical shape in the concentration range of 1.7-2.6 mmol/dm3. Compaction of associates leads to an increase in the content of particles with a hydrodynamic radius of 150-250 nm and larger ones, and their presence predicts the appearance of larger agglomerates. Analyzing the data obtained using the dynamic light scattering method, it can be concluded that aggregates of several sizes co-exist in the volume of aqueous saponin solutions at certain concentrations.

Antimicrobial Mitigation via Saponin Intervention on Escherichia coli and Growth and Development of Hydroponic Lettuce

Various saponins have demonstrated allelochemical effects such as bactericidal impacts as well as antimycotic activity against some plant pathogenic fungi, thereby acting to benefit plant growth and development. A commercial saponin solution was evaluated for bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a hydroponic system. E. coli (P4, P13, and P68) inoculum at final concentration of 108 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL was added to 130 L of a fertilized solution recirculating in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system used to grow ‘Rex’ lettuce. After 5 weeks in the NFT system, E. coli populations were lowest in the inoculated treatment that did not contain any saponin addition (0.89 log cfu/mL) when compared with all other inoculated treatments (P &lt; 0.001). The treatment containing 100 µg·mL−1 saponin extract had an E. coli population of 4.61 log cfu/mL after 5 weeks that was higher than treatments containing 25 µg·mL−1 or less (P &lt; 0.0001). Thus, higher E. coli populations were observed at higher saponin concentrations. Plant growth was also inhibited by increasing saponin concentrations. Fresh and dry shoot weight were both higher in the inoculated and uninoculated treatments without the saponin addition after 5 weeks in the NFT system (P &lt; 0.0001). Lettuce head diameter was smaller when exposed to saponin treatments with concentrations of 50 and 100 µg·mL−1 (P &lt; 0.0001). Lettuce leaves were also tested for the potential of E. coli to travel systemically to the edible portions of the plant. No E. coli was found to travel in this manner. It was concluded that steroidal saponins extracted from mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera) are not an acceptable compound for use in mitigation of E. coli in hydroponic fertilizer solution due to its ineffectiveness as a bactericide and its negative impact on lettuce growth.

Comparative study of saponin for surfactant properties and potential application in personal care products

Surfactants are typically organic compounds containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups bearing polar and non-polar classes. Saponin is one of the surfactant classes present in the plant species with steroidal aglycone or triterpenoid and one or more chains of sugar characterized by its structure. Now days, consumers are becoming more aware of natural products associated with their physicochemical properties. Saponin's potential use as surfactant is caused by the combination of a non-polar sapogenin side chain and a water-soluble one, which is close to the structure of most lipophilic and hydrophilic molecular sections of synthetic surfactants. The foaming power of the 0.6% crude saponins solution, 0.6% SLS solution and 0.6% Tween 80 solution were found to be 80%, 93.87% and 97.56% respectively. It showed that 0.6% crude saponins possessed moderate foaming ability. The surface active properties of saponin were also compared with the synthetic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Tween 80. Surface tension of 0.6% solution of saponin, SLS and Tween 80 was determined as 37.39 mN/m, 26.15 mN/m and 37.18 mN /m respectively. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of saponin and Tween 80 was comparable.

Xyloglucan based mucosal nanovaccine for immunological protection against brucellosis developed by supercritical fluid technology

Vaccines delivered via the mucosal route have logistic benefits over parenteral or intramuscular vaccines as they offer patient compliance. This study presents the first intranasal, controlled release, subunit nanovaccine comprising mucoadhesive tamarind seed polymer (xyloglucan) based nanoparticles produced using an efficient, environmentally compatible, and industrially scalable technique: rapid expansion of supercritical solution. The nanovaccine formulation aimed against brucellosis comprised xyloglucan nanoparticles loaded separately with antigenic acellular lipopolysaccharides from B. abortus (S19) and the immunoadjuvant quillaja saponin. The nanovaccine elicited prolonged humoral and cell-mediated immunity in female Balb/c mice. Nasal vaccination with the nanovaccine resulted in higher levels of mucosal IgA and IgG than with an aqueous solution of soluble lipopolysaccharides and quillaja saponin. Systemic immunity triggered by the nanovaccine was evidenced by higher IgG levels in sera post priming and boosting. The nanovaccine induced a mixed Th1/Th2 type of immunity with higher IgG2a levels and thus a polarized Th1 response. The results suggest that the nanovaccine administered by homologous nasal route can prime the immune system via the mucosal and systemic pathways and is a good candidate for vaccine delivery.

Solubilization mechanism of diesel in saponin micelle for contaminated montmorillonite washing

Abstract The biosurfactant was used to remove diesel from contaminated montmorillonite, which was enhanced by humic acid sodium salt (HASS) addition or microbubbles resulted from sonication. It was found that montmorillonite exhibited strong adsorption for saponin, causing the effective critical micelle concentration shift of saponin from 0.2 g L−1 to 0.6 g L−1. The washing efficacy (diesel removal) with 0.6 g L−1 saponin and 2% HASS (HASS/saponin ratio = 2%) increased 14.9 % compared to the control condition (without HASS), whereas the diesel removal with microbubble enhancement (25 min sonication) increased 15.2 % compared to the control condition. Bright-field microscopy, microscope, DLS, PSS, and TEM were used to measure the size of micelles and count micelle numbers. In the addition of 2% HASS, the mean diameter of saponin micelles decreased from 824.9 ± 12.3 nm to 91.3 ± 7.6 nm, and the number of micelles increased from 42,000 to 110,000 at saponin solution of 0.3 g L−1. The hydrophobic core volume increased accordingly. HASS molecule might cause the extension of hydrophobic interior space in micelles to solubilize the hydrocarbon contaminant. In addition to micelles solubilization, the microbubbles enhancement washing process increased the diesel removal by floatation, cavitation in sonication.