Saponin

Name:
Saponin
Detailed information:
(1) A general term applied to two groups of plant glycosides that on shaking with water form colloidal solutions giving soapy lathers; they form oil/ester emulsions and are used as protective colloids. They also have the ability to hemolyze red blood corpuscles at very great dilutions. The two groups are triterpenoid and steroid saponins; the latter are used in research on sex hormones. (2) Specific term refers to saponin derived from Saponaria or Quillaja.

Properties:

White, amorphous glucoside; pungent, disagreeable taste and odor. It foams strongly when shaken with water. Soluble in water.

Grade:

Crude, purified, highest purity.

Hazard:

Highly toxic by injection; destroys red blood cells. Moderately toxic by ingestion.

Use:

Foam producer in fire extinguishers, detergent in textile industries, sizing, substitute for soap, emulsification agent for fats and oils.