Determination of crude saponin and total flavonoids content in guar meal

Abstract

Saponins and flavonoids have received considerable attention due to their beneficial effects on animal and human health. In the present study, the crude saponin was extracted from guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] meal and the total flavonoid content in guar meal was determined by two different spectroscopic methods; oxidation of flavonoids by ceric sulfate [Ce (IV)] and complexed by aluminum chloride using quercetin as flavonoid standard. Results obtained from this study showed that the average concentration of crude saponin (saponin rich guar meal extract) was 6.2 ± 0.7% dry matter of guar meal. However, the average total flavonoid contents determined in guar meal were 0.28 ± 0.01 mg and 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/g for Ce (IV) method and aluminum chloride method, respectively. Results obtained in this study can be useful to nutraceutical, pharmaceutical utilization and can provide additional information about crude saponin and flavonoid concentration in guar meal especially for populations consuming guar bean.

Keywords: Aluminum chloride, ceric sulfate [Ce (IV)], flavoinoid, guar meal, quersetin, saponin