Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of saponins isolated from Saponaria Cypria, an endemic species of Cyprus.

Introduction Saponaria plants are rich in active molecules called saponins, known to inhibit bacteria. Saponins may therefore be utilized as an alternative source of active components with antimicrobial activity.

Materials and Methods Saponin extracts were isolated from Saponaria officinalis (S. officinalis) and Saponaria cypria (S. cypria), by maceration [1]. The fraction of saponins was quantified with the vanillin-sulphuric Acid calorimetric Assay [2] and its chemical composition was further characterized with the use of TOF-MS [3]. The antioxidant activity of saponins was evaluated using DPPH colorimetric assay [4]. The antimicrobial activity of saponin extracts was tested against bacteria using the MIC/MBC microbroth method and the time-kill assay [4].

Results Extraction protocols revealed higher saponin yield in S. cypria as compared to S. officinalis. Identification and characterisation of the main saponins, showed significant differences in the composition of the active saponin molecules between the two species. Comparison of the antioxidant activity demonstrated a higher TEAC activity in S. cypria, probably attributed to the higher content of saponins present. The antimicrobial activity of both species showed a MIC range of 0.39-6.25 mg/ml with a preference to Staphylococcus aureus and with S. cypria exhibiting higher antimicrobial activity in all bacteria tested. Time kill assay revealed the inhibition of all bacterial growth for both species.

Conclusions Our data demonstrate differences both in the saponin composition and antimicrobial activity, between the two Saponaria species. This might be attributed to the different local environmental growth conditions which may exert an impact on the expression of active components in the endemic species.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the abstract.

• References

• 1 Majinda R.T.P. et.al 2012, Methods in Molecular Biology, 864, p.415-426.
• 2 Roach P.D. et. al 2018, Technologies, 6, 84, p.1-12
• 3 Guilet D. 2014, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 78, 2, p. 288–295
• 4 Nunes M.L. 2013, J. Sci. Food Agric.,30, 93, p.2707-14.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021