I conducted water extraction on my plant and deduced that saponins are present. As far as I know, foam test and blood haemolysis test are generally used to detect saponins. Are these the only reliable tests? There are papers stating that saponins are biosurfactants, but are all saponins also biosurfactants? If this is true, tests such are drop collapse and emulsification stability would also indirectly prove the presence of saponins. Please advise.
Dear Delhousie,
your approach is questionable because saponins are not the only foaming and interfacial tension lowering substances.
If you are after using the extract for a special purpose then best to use a related test.
I came across vanillin-sulfuric acid assay to test for saponin. However I am facing difficulties in getting the absorbance reading as all samples turn black after mix with sulfuric acid. How can i troubleshoot this problem?
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