Alfalfa saponins and sapogenins: Isolation and quantification in two different cultivars

The chemical characterization of the saponins and sapogenins isolated from roots and aerial parts of two alfalfa cultivars with differing saponin content is reported. A procedure for the extraction and quantification of saponins is described, and the identification of the major components of the saponin mixture has been performed using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Characterization, using gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectral analysis, of sapogenins released following acid hydrolysis allowed the identification of medicagenic acid, hederagenin, soyasapogenols B, C, D, E and F as the major compounds, together with oleanolic acid. Quantitative analysis of the sapogenins in aerial parts and roots of the two cultivars is reported and discussed.