title: Variation of saponin contents and physiological status in Quillaja saponaria under different environmental conditions.
abstract: Quillaja saponaria (Quillay), an evergreen tree found in Chile, is one of the main sources of saponins. Quillaja saponins have hypocholesterolaemic, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and pesticidal properties, and are used as adjuvants for vaccines. Samples of Quillay growing at three zones in O'Higgins Region, Chile (Coastal, Central and Mountain zones) were analyzed for content of saponins and physiological status. The results revealed differences in the content of saponins depending on the zone of sample collection. The highest contents were found in samples from the Mountain zone, where the highest saponin contents were accompanied by the lowest foliar nitrogen contents, the highest antioxidant activity and the highest carotenoid contents. The results suggest a physiological and adaptive mechanism of saponins in plants to survive under unfavourable environmental conditions. The results have important implications for a theoretical basis for the design of a reasonable harvest, to avoid the cost of poor quality material, and also to provide a sustainable use and conservation of this important species. Further research on the effects of stress will improve our understanding of the saponins production and their physiological functions in plants, whereas they have generally been studied for their biological and chemical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Science. Universidad de Concepción. 4070386, Concepción, Chile agrandon@udec.cl
authors.forename: Angélica S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Grandón
authors.affiliation: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Science. Universidad de Concepción. 4070386, Concepción, Chile
authors.forename: B Miguel
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Science. Universidad de Concepción. 4070386, Concepción, Chile
authors.forename: Darcy L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Science. Universidad de Concepción. 4070386, Concepción, Chile
authors.forename: O Manuel
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Faculty of Physics and Mathematics Sciences. Universidad de Concepción, 4070386, Concepción, Chile.
authors.forename: C Katia
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sáez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products. Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, 4070386, Concepción. Chile.
authors.forename: S Víctor
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products. Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, 4070386, Concepción. Chile.
authors.forename: A José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Becerra
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D031990:Quillaja / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012503:Saponins