SEASONAL PERIODICITY OF SAPOGENIN PRODUCTION IN DIOSCOREA DELTOIDE A WALL AND DIOSCOREA PRAZERI PRAIN & BURKILL

Abstract

Dioscorea deltoidea Wall, and Dioscorea prazeri Prain and Bur kill from different localities of India were grown in cultures. They yielded varying percentage of sapogenin content at various stages of growth.

Sapogenin concentration increased with the age of tuber. The optimum sapogenin content was found when the plants were just shedding (withering) their leaves and tubers dormant. This stage appears to be the best for commercial exploitation.

Zusammenfassung

Dioscorea deltoidea und Dioscorea prazeri von verschiedenen Standorten in Indien wurden kultiviert. Ihr prozentualer Sapogenin–Gehalt ändert sich im Verlauf der Entwicklungsperiode. Das Optimum wird zur Zeit des Blattfalles und in ruhenden Knollen erreicht.