Methanol-Water Extraction of Saponins From Seeds of Saponaria Vaccaria L. — Calibration Equation, Extraction Condition Analysis, and Modeling

Abstract

Bisdesmosides, monodesmosides, and other bisdesmosidic saponins were observed in the particles of Saponaria vaccaria L seeds (15.35% dry basis) with diameter of 0.044 to 1.19 mm and an average thickness of 124 µm as investigated with liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy at methanol concentration of 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% (vol., aq.), temperature of 30°C, 45°C, and 60°C, and eight extraction time intervals between 1 and 180 min. The saponins yield increased significantly with temperature (45°C to 60°C) and methanol concentration (50% to 70%) with negligible effect of moisture content. The maximum yield was obtained at 60°C for 70% methanol concentration and 30 min of extraction time. The mass transfer properties of the test material may have potentials for modeling, simulation and optimization of similar products and processes. A diffusional mathematical model simulated extraction kinetics, and estimated partition coefficient, and effective diffusivity of saponins very well.

Keywords:

• bio-kinetics
• kinetics parameters
• liquid-liquid extraction
• modeling
• Saponins

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Dr. John Balsevich at Plant Biotechnology Institute, NRC for allowing us to access database and equipment to identify saponins as well as for his technical guidance. The financial support provided by NSERC to conduct this research is highly appreciated.

Notes

^a Quillaic acid,

^b Gypsogenin,

^c Trisaccharide,

^d Disaccharide,

^e  = New Saponin,

^f Unknown.