Saponins

Amphipathic glycosides that foam in water and disrupt cell membranes, serving plants as antimicrobial and antiherbivore defenses.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Form soap-like foams by lowering the surface tension of water.
• The ginsenosides of Panax ginseng are triterpene saponins.
• Toxic to fish gills, they were traditionally used by many cultures as fish-stunning poisons.

Specifications & Metrics

• CHEMICAL CLASS: Triterpene and steroid glycosides