Hello, the saponins have such properties. Saponin from quillaja bark is sold by SIGMA ALDRICH.

Saponins and phospholipids are two main classes of phytochemicals with surfactant activity. Salts and buffers can also be used to reduce surface tension of aqueous solutions, and azeotropes may also exhibit surfactant activity.

Saponins and lecitins are probably the best. Soya lecitins are comercially available across the world and you may avoid toxicity associated to saponins.

The foaming property of plant extracts when shaken in aqueous solution or when it is being concentrated even on rotary evaporator is due to the level or presence of saponin (a natural surfactant) in the plant extract.

plant oils such as palm, palm kernel or coconut oil, or from animal fats such as tallow, lard or fish oil. In contrast, vegetable oils have been gaining ground.

Generally saponins of Trieterpenoids and steroids are fairly abundantly available in nature and many of them are surfactants.

Natural surfactants cannot replace today the synthetic surfactants in cost and activity. Only in very high cost / specific applications it is possible. Plant saponins were used till recently in photo film industry. Now Film is almost gone. Washing high cost silks in textile industry prefers natural surfactants. Indian CSIR lab, CDRI introduced a contraceptive based on a saponin.

It is similar to replacing Petrol and diesel by biodiesel. Technically feasible but not economical.

Saponins is one the most active natural surfactans and mainly found Caryophyllaceae and Illecebraceae families in the plant kingdom. Morever, other families could include this chemicals. Actually, saponins are phytochemicals with 600-2000 Da molecular weight.

Prasoon: The oils are converted by saponification to soaps and used?

Thanks to all, I think production of Plant based Surfactant not much viable at commercial level. But caracterized research in this field wl help to develop an economical product.

Dear Antariksh, May be the plant based surfactants are not using commercially at present, but It is certainly a potential area of research, as these surfactants will attract more industries then synthetic surfactants...........

One of the methods to learn about commercial viability of a product is to consult an industrialist working in this or related area. Another method is to carry on techno-economic feasibility study after market survey.

It is true, saponin study gives good academic experience. Hygroscopic, heat and pH labile compounds, difficult to be separated.

The best example is Sapindus mukorossi...plant base for multiutility products such as Soapnuts and saopnut liquids can be used in Laundry, dishwashing, natural pesticide, jewellary cleaning, food detoxification and as Herbal ingredient to several medicines.

Yes. Saponins can at best be minor commercial surfactants.

Dear Antariksh, is Sapindus saponin extracted as a pure product, or are the drupes the only product we can purchase? I am interested, because I sometimes use the drupes for washing :).

The foaming property of plant extracts when shaken in aqueous solution or when it is being concentrated even on rotary evaporator is due to the level or presence of saponin (a natural surfactant) in the plant extract. They also have (saponin) haemolytic activity. Its isolation from plants extract is a bit difficult but some have been isolated and characterised.

Sucrose esters (SEs) has also been of great interest in their applicability in different pharmaceutical fields. They are natural and biodegradable excipients with well-known emulsifying and solubilizing behavior with excellent surfactant like properties. SEs are also promising on commercial aspects.

Szűts A, Szabó-Révész P. Sucrose esters as natural surfactants in drug delivery systems--a mini-review. Int J Pharm. 2012 Aug 20;433(1-2):1-9. Epub 2012 May 7.

@ Reneta, Thanks for your query,

There is a wide variety of Standardized extracts of Sapindus for Saponin content but mostly it is of solvent processed and used for medicinal purpose.

For Washing, these drupes can be directly used by soaking with water but sometimes occures problem due to quality of raw material. To overcome this we can use a Standardized aqueous extract of drupes. It could be in powder or liquid form and better product for each time use.

In India, some industries process the same product by using quality raw material. Definately it can be easily used to cleanse hair, skin and laundry.

Thank you Antariksh. I hope the saponins have no side-effects towards the human health and the environment.

Sapindus saponins are highly- very highly irritating to the eye!!! Be careful. One will suffer almost half a day if it enters (normally it does!) the eye. But not dangerous. Does not harm the eye except burning sensation. It leaves a dry hair after wash. If you use Shikakai (Acacia concinna pod) it gives a silky smooth hair. But does not give much lather. Washes clean though.

Thank you :)

Lecithin and other phospholipids are the major natural surfactants; they are commonly used in foods, and are obtained during oil purification (or from animal sources). And of course mono and diglycerides can industrially be prepared from fats.

Saponins. Some are!