title: The isolation and identification of steroidal sapogenins in switchgrass.
abstract: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been reported to be hepatotoxic, causing photosensitization in lambs and horses. In this study we show the presence of steroidal saponins in two samples of switchgrass that has been implicated in the poisonings of sheep and horses. After hydrolysis of the saponins, diosgenin was determined to be the major sapogenin in both switchgrass samples. We also confirmed the presence of diosgenin in kleingrass after hydrolysis of saponins extracted from it.
authors.affiliation: Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Logan, Utah 84341, USA. stlee@cc.usu.edu
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stegelmeier
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Vogel
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008897:Panicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D012502:Sapogenins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012502:Sapogenins; D012503:Saponins