Extraction and Quantification of Saponins in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Genotypes from Colombia

Abstract

Quinoa has a high nutraceutical potential because of the presence of secondary metabolites called saponins, which have industrial and medicinal uses and protect against attacks by pathogens. These compounds are found especially in the seed coat and give the grain a bitter taste; therefore, they must be eliminated before consumption. Despite the potential use in Colombia, there are few studies aimed at quantifying this metabolite. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate two extraction methodologies (physical and chemical) and two methods for quantifying saponins in five quinoa genotypes grown in Colombia. The most efficient extraction method was the physical method. The saponin contents of the five genotypes were variable. The cluster analysis differentiated the genotypes into two groups: low saponin content (<4.49 mg/g seed) and high saponin content (>14.76 mg/g seeds). Blanca de Jericó had the lowest saponin content (<0.40%), and Amarilla de Maranganí had the highest content (>0.18%). Identifying more efficient methodologies for extracting and quantifying saponins will allow a better characterization of the germplasm and selection of genotypes with desirable characteristics for both consumption and industrial use.

Development and Characterization of a Hand Rub Gel Produced with Artisan Alcohol (Puntas), Silver Nanoparticles, and Saponins from Quinoa

“…On the other hand, the method used to extract saponins could be better; in this sense, it is essential to note that the content of saponins is in low concentration, attributable to the extraction method from quinoa [80]. The antibacterial activity found in the GAA05 sample could be attributed to the large surface area of silver nanoparticles, which could provide a larger contact surface with microorganisms [81,82].…”

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats tools for plant metabolic engineering: achievements and perspectives

“…CRISPR-dCas9 technologies could be used for targeted modification of the epigenetic landscape, offering great benefits to increase metabolite production as compared with conventional strategies such as hormonal elicitation or overexpression of genes encoding enzymes or transcriptional regulators. For example, saponins in quinoa are ubiquitously produced in all parts of the plant as defense compounds [47]. Especially seeds, which are consumed as food and feed, contain high levels of these toxic compounds.…”

“…Especially seeds, which are consumed as food and feed, contain high levels of these toxic compounds. To extract or eliminate these compounds, several labor-intensive industrial processes need to be used [47]. CRISPR-dCas9 epigenetics could be used to alter saponin production in a tissue-specific manner, for instance by silencing it in seeds, streamlining processing for food production, while retaining saponin accumulation in aerial parts to safeguard adequate defense responses.…”

Optimization of green deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. husks saponins by response surface methodology and their antioxidant activities

“…3 Although quinoa saponins have many activities, the practical application of quinoa saponins has not received attention; a few of them are included in feed, and most of them are discarded, which not only results in the loss of active substances and the waste of resources but also poses a threat to the environment. 4,5 Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were rst proposed by Abbott in 2003 and are considered green solvents because of their advantages, such as simple synthesis, designable structure and environmental friendliness. 6,7 In recent years, the use of deep eutectic solvents has been reported for the extraction of phenolic compounds in Carthamus tinctorius L., avonoids from Pollen Typhae and polysaccharides from Camellia oleifera Abel.…”

“…3 Although quinoa saponins have many activities, the practical application of quinoa saponins has not received attention; a few of them are included in feed, and most of them are discarded, which not only results in the loss of active substances and the waste of resources but also poses a threat to the environment. 4,5…”