Saponin, also known as alkali soap body, saponin, saponin, saponin or saponin. A glycoside. Plant glycosides that can form aqueous solution or colloidal solution and form soap like foam are collectively referred to as saponins, sugar, uronic acid or other organic acids. Generally, saponins can be divided into two categories. One is steroidal saponins, which are mostly composed of 27 carbon atoms (such as diosgenin). These saponins mostly exist in Liliaceae and diosgeniaceae plants. The other is triterpenoid saponins, mostly composed of 30 carbon atoms. Triterpenoid saponins are divided into tetracyclic triterpenoids and pentacyclic triterpenoids. These saponins mostly exist in Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng and other Acanthaceae and Umbelliferae plants.saponinMost of them are white or milky amorphous powder, and a few are crystals. They taste bitter and spicy and irritate the mucous membrane. Saponin is a strong surfactant, which can form soap liquid even if it is highly diluted. Saponins can stimulate the heart; It is also a strong hemolytic agent.
Most saponins can reduce the surface tension of liquid (water). Because saponins have rich foaming, good degreasing, wetting, dispersing and emulsifying properties, and good biodegradability, they are natural surfactants. Can be used as a cleaner, It also has the effect of hemolysis and poison fish. There are many Chinese medicines containing saponins, such as Polygala tenuifolia and Platycodon grandiflorum, which have the effect of eliminating phlegm and relieving cough; Some saponins also have antibacterial activities or valuable biological activities such as antipyretic, sedative and anticancer. Some saponins have special physiological activities. For example, ginsenosides can enhance the biosynthesis of DNA and protein and improve the immune capacity of the body. Saponins are a group of naturally occurring compounds with diverse structures. It is mainly found in plants that these saponins have a bitter taste and are easy to foam in aqueous solution. Saponins are considered to be toxic to cold-blooded animals, but their oral toxicity to mammals is very low. Saponins naturally present in food are non-toxic and may even be beneficial to human diet.
Saponins have a wide range of sources and can be used in industry and food health care. It is used in the daily chemical industry to prepare neutral detergent and wash sweaters and silk. It can make the fabric as bright as new, soft and crisp, and does not produce cashmere shrinkage. It can also be used to prepare soap horn shampoo, which has the functions of removing dandruff, relieving itching, cleaning and protecting hair. The wool spinning industrial detergent prepared with it is suitable for the washing of fine and woolen products. Ginsenosides are often used as health products because they can enhance human immunity and are beneficial to human health.