Saponins are high molecular weight glycosides,
consisting of a sugar moiety linked to a triterpene
or steroid aglycone. The presence of a large numbers
of functional groups and sugar moieties made
saponins a wide array of specific biological,
chemical, and physical properties. In recent years
the interest in saponins has increased significantly
because of their diverse properties as natural
detergents, foaming agents, their cardiac,
immunostimulating, and anti-cancer activity, as well
as other health promoting functions. Untill now,
diosgenin and related steroidal saponins have been
obtained mainly from Dioscorea, however it is
crucial to discover new and alternative sources
because of decreasing plant resources and increasing
demand. This book presents the details of the
isolation, characterization, and biological and
physical properties of saponins from a widely grown
and most neglected plant of the drier parts of the
world desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) along with
the production potentialities. Students and
researchers from chemistry and biotechnology; and
industries and growers all can take benefit from
this book.
consisting of a sugar moiety linked to a triterpene
or steroid aglycone. The presence of a large numbers
of functional groups and sugar moieties made
saponins a wide array of specific biological,
chemical, and physical properties. In recent years
the interest in saponins has increased significantly
because of their diverse properties as natural
detergents, foaming agents, their cardiac,
immunostimulating, and anti-cancer activity, as well
as other health promoting functions. Untill now,
diosgenin and related steroidal saponins have been
obtained mainly from Dioscorea, however it is
crucial to discover new and alternative sources
because of decreasing plant resources and increasing
demand. This book presents the details of the
isolation, characterization, and biological and
physical properties of saponins from a widely grown
and most neglected plant of the drier parts of the
world desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) along with
the production potentialities. Students and
researchers from chemistry and biotechnology; and
industries and growers all can take benefit from
this book.