Certain Foaming Characteristics of Saponins of Leaves of Balanites Aegyptiaca Del

Abstract

In this study, the histochemical analysis and phytochemical screening of leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. were conducted to determine the probable presence of saponins. The results revealed the probable presence of saponins and some other secondary metabolites in aqueous, methanol and crude saponins (n-butanol) extracts of the leaves. The yields of the extracts of aqueous, methanol and crude saponins (n-butanol) obtained from the leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. were 19.8 %, 22.4 % and 2.4 % respectively. The foam heights and foaming times of extracts of the leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (aqueous, methanol and crude saponins (n-butanol) extracts) and commercial detergents (Triton-X 100 and Tween 80) at concentrations of 0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.5 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 %, and 1.0 % were subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA) for comparison of their foam heights and foaming times at 0 min, 1 min, 5 min and T hr. The values of aqueous saponins extract were very significant differences (p<0.01), the values of crude saponins (n-butanol) extract as well as commercial detergents (Triton-X 100 and Tween 80) were of highly significant differences (p<0.001) while the values of methanol saponins extract were of significant differences (p<0.05) and also all the values of the extracts and commercial detergents solutions were of no significant differences (p>0.05). The foaming activities were conducted at concentrations of 0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.5 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1.0 %. The foam heights and foaming times increased with increase in concentrations of aqueous solution. Among the three samples Triton-X 100 possessed the highest foam heights and foaming times of 0.5 % with 11.57 ± 0.51 cm and 30.73 ± 0.42 hr, followed by Tween 80 with 7.80 ± 0.22 cm and 16.98 ± 0.32 hr and finally crude saponins (n-butanol) extract with 6.20 ± 0.25 cm and 1.12 ± 0.06 hr. Foam power of 0.5 % crude saponins (n-butanol) extract solution of leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. was 52.7 % of 0.5 % Triton-X 100. Foam power of the 0.5 % crude saponins (n-butanol) extract solution of leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. was 79.4 % of 0.5 % Tween 80. The R5 values of 27.59 %, 31.47 % and 25.81 % of aqueous, methanol and crude saponins (n-butanol) extracts respectively represent poor foam stability compared with the values of 90.8 % and 85.3 % of Triton-X 100 and Tween 80 respectively. Therefore, the potentials of using saponins of leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. as stabilizing agents in detergency are poor. However, they may find use in the food and cosmetics industries