Özlem Güçlü-Üstündağ

Antioxidant activity of pressurized low polarity water (PLPW) extracts of cow cockle seed and extraction residues were determined using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The effect of extraction conditions (temperature (125, 150 and 175 °C) and time) on the antioxidant activity and the relationship amongst the antioxidant activity and extract composition (total phenolics and saponin content) were determined. The antioxidant activity of PLPW extracts increased with extraction temperature. Increasing activity with time was also observed at 175 °C. PLPW extraction residues had the highest activity suggesting antioxidant compounds were not completely extracted by PLPW. Antioxidant activity correlated well with total phenolics content of samples (R ² ≥ 0.94), however no correlation was observed with the saponin content. A strong correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity values obtained using different methods (R ² ≥ 0.94). These results point to the potential of PLPW extraction as a method to modify the activity of biological materials for the production of customized extracts.

Semi‐continuous column fractionation of canola oil deodorizer distillate using supercritical CO₂ (SCCO₂) was carried out to determine the feasibility of value‐added processing of this feed material for the recovery of bioactive components such as sterols and tocopherols and to determine the effect of operating conditions [pressure (20, 25 MPa using a temperature gradient of 70–100 °C), temperature (70, 100 °C) and a linear temperature gradient (70–100 °C at 25 MPa)] on extract yield and separation efficiency. Total extract yield increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with pressure, whereas at isobaric conditions (25 MPa) the highest yield was obtained at the lowest temperature tested (70 °C). Fractionation efficiency was reflected in the composition of fractions and was affected by operating conditions. Residue composition was determined by extract yield in addition to selectivity. Use of the thermal gradient (70–100 °C) decreased the content of volatiles, free fatty acids and tocopherols while increasing sterol content significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to a level of 40% (GC area %) in the residue obtained at 25 MPa. The findings indicate the potential of canola oil deodorizer distillate as a source of sterols and warrant further research on the countercurrent column fractionation to improve the separation efficiency.

Saponins are a diverse group of compounds widely distributed in the plant kingdom, which are characterized by their structure containing a triterpene or steroid aglycone and one or more sugar chains. Consumer demand for natural products coupled with their physicochemical (surfactant) properties and mounting evidence on their biological activity (such as anticancer and anticholesterol activity) has led to the emergence of saponins as commercially significant compounds with expanding applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors. The realization of their full commercial potential requires development of new processes/processing strategies to address the processing challenges posed by their complex nature. This review provides an update on the sources, properties, and applications of saponins with special focus on their extraction and purification. Also reviewed is the recent literature on the effect of processing on saponin structure/properties and the extraction and purification of sapogenins.