saponin

American  

[sap-uh-nin] / ˈsæp ə nɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of amorphous glycosides of terpenes and steroids, occurring in many plants, characterized by an ability to form emulsions and to foam in aqueous solutions, and used as detergents.

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saponin British  

/ ˈsæpənɪn /

noun

1. any of a group of plant glycosides with a steroid structure that foam when shaken and are used in detergents

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saponin Scientific  

/ săp′ə-nĭn,sə-pō′- /

1. Any of various plant glucosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water. They are used in detergents, foaming agents, and emulsifiers. Some saponins, such as digitalis, affect the heart and have been used as medicines and arrow poisons by indigenous peoples of Africa and South America.

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Etymology

Origin of saponin

1825–35; < French saponine < Latin sāpōn- (stem of sāpō ) soap + French -ine -in ²

Example Sentences

The saponin compounds in the tea seed meal may also wash into waterways and harm even more species.

From Seattle Times

Agave americana, unlike blue agave, contains saponins: organic chemicals that give the plant a soapy taste and hinder the process of fermentation.

From BBC

The trick with this approach is the addition of an “adjuvant”—an additive that “soups up” the immune system’s response—made from saponin, a compound derived from the bark of the Chilean soapbark tree.

From Scientific American

Then Ward’s new high-resolution images—showing tiny particles studded with spike proteins, with honeycomblike saponins floating beside them—flashed on dozens of people’s screens.

From Science Magazine

We demonstrate the utility of the genome sequence by identifying a gene that probably regulates the presence of seed triterpenoid saponin content.

From Nature