Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) Saponins

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.