Saponins

Saponins Synopsis

Saponins are surfactive compounds that are widely distributed in nature, occurring primarily in the plant kingdom. Plants that produce saponins generally accumulate these metabolites as part of their development, which can be influenced by several environmental factors, such as nutrient and water availability, light irradiation and/or a combination of these factors. In this book, Chapter One discusses the occurrence in nature and biological activities of saponins. Chapter Two provides a review of ginsenoside Rg3 modulating lipid metabolism. Chapter Three demonstrates methods of saponins recovery after soil washing and attempts of their reuse. Chapter Four evaluates the feasibility of using saponin from soapnuts (Sapindus mukorrossi) for the removal of oil from a large area of oil contaminated soil in Kuwait, due to the destruction of oil wells during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Chapter Five focuses on the structural types and biological studies of saponins of I. asprella, and briefly discusses the characteristics of these chemical structures.