What are sapopins? (tribulus)

[LilFella]

I'm looking at some trib 625 mgs with 40% sapopins. What are sapopins and what is a good percentage of them to have in the tribulus?

[mick-G]

Re: What are sapopins? (tribulus)

Saponins are glycosides with a distinctive foaming characteristic. They are found in many plants, but get their name from the soapwort plant (Saponaria), the root of which was used historically as a soap (Latin sapo ---> soap). They consist of a polycyclic aglycone that is either a choline steroid or triterpenoid attached via C3 and an ether bond to a sugar side chain. The aglycone is referred to as the sapogenin and steroid saponins are called saraponins. The ability of a saponin to foam is caused by the combination of the nonpolar sapogenin and the water soluble side chain. Saponins are bitter and reduce the palatability of livestock feeds. However if they have a triterpenoid aglycone they may instead have a licorice taste as glucuronic acid replaces sugar in triterpenoids. Some saponins reduce the feed intake and growth rate of nonruminant animals while others are not very harmful. For example, the saponins found in oats and spinach increase and accelerate the body's ability to absorb calcium and silicon, thus assisting in digestion. Certain pasture weeds contain substantial quantities of dangerous saponins and result in life threatening toxicities for certain animal species.



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Plants Involved
Saponins are generally not a problem in tropical forage legumes. However, they are common in several temperate forage legumes. The use of alfalfa, (Medicago sativa, in supplemental protein meals for swine and poultry is limited by its saponin content. Although alfalfa contains several saponins (medicagenic acid, soyasapogenol A, soyasapogenol B, lucernic acid ), medicagenic acid appears to be the one responsible for its antinutritional effects. Saponin content in alfalfa foliage is low in spring and fall and high in midsummer. Low-saponin cultivars of alfalfa have been developed. The seeds and foliage of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), soybeans ( ), and common beans ( ) also contain saponins. Several rangeland weeds in the US including corn cockle (Agrostemma githago, soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), cow cockle (Saponaria vaccaria), and broomweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) cause serious toxicity problems for grazing livestock because of their saponins. Alfombrilla (Drymaria arenaroides) is a weed in northern Mexico containing @3% saponins that is responsible for cattle losses in Mexico and has potential for spread to the southwest U.S. Yucca contains sarsaponins and is occassionally grazed by cattle. However, research indicates that sarsaponins might actually be beneficial to rumen digestion. Other plants containing saponins include Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger), Horse Chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum), Asparagus fern (Asparagus officinalis), and Daisies (Bellis perennis)

[LilFella]

Re: What are sapopins? (tribulus)

thanks bro!