Determination and toxicity of saponins from Amaranthus cruentus seeds.
The concentrations of four triterpene saponins present in amaranth seeds were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. It was shown that the total concentration of saponins in seeds was 0. 09-0.1% of dry matter. In germinating seeds an increase in concentration to 0.18% was observed after 4 days of germination, which remained stable for the next 3 days and later dropped to 0.09%. Highly purified extracts from the seeds were tested for their toxicity against hamsters. The hydrophobic fraction obtained by the extraction of seeds with methylene chloride showed no toxicity; the behavior of tested animals was similar to that of the group given an equivalent dose of rapeseed oil. A crude saponin fraction, containing approximately 70% of pure saponins in the matrix, showed some toxicity; the approximate lethal dose was calculated as 1100 mg/kg of body weight. It is concluded that low contents of saponins in amaranth seeds and their relatively low toxicity guarantee that amaranth-derived products create no significant hazard for the consumer.
Oleszek
W
W
Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
Junkuszew
M
M
Stochmal
A
A
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012639:Seeds / Q000633:toxicity*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins