saponins
Foaming plant chemicals
Saponins are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants that produce a soapy foam when mixed with water.
They're abundant in legumes, quinoa, and soapwort.
Saponins have a bitter taste that deters insects and animals—the reason quinoa must be rinsed before cooking.
In medicine and cosmetics, they're used as emulsifiers and studied for potential health benefits.
Edible seed from Andes
- soybeansProtein-rich Asian legume
- yuccaSpiny desert plant
- ginsengPerennial with tonic root
- alfalfaForage crop legume
fenugreek · oats · licorice · soapbark · soapwort · legumes · agave · chickpeas
Surface tension lowering compound
- latherFoamy soap bubbles
- bubblesGas-filled liquid spheres
- frothMass of small bubbles
- emulsifierCombines immiscible liquids
detergent · shampoo · cleansing · aeration · suds · dispersion · soapwort · soapbark
Destroying red blood cells
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- cytotoxicToxic to cells
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
Sugar-linked chemical compounds
- steroidsPerformance-enhancing hormones
- phytosterolsBotanical membrane lipids
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- steroidalOf certain hormones
phytochemicals · hydrolysis · molecular · sterol · lipophilic · hydrophilic
Reducing blood fats
- antitumorOpposing malignant growth
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- adjuvantImmunity-boosting additive
bioactive · therapeutic · hypoglycemic · cardioprotective · anti-inflammatory · nutraceutical · expectorant · adaptogenic
quinoa
Edible seed from Andes
alfalfa · fenugreek · oats · licorice · soapbark · soapwort · legumes · agave · chickpeas · lentils
surfactant
Surface tension lowering compound
emulsifier · detergent · shampoo · cleansing · aeration · suds · dispersion · soapwort · soapbark · soapnut
hemolytic
Destroying red blood cells
permeability · digestibility · soaking · processing · removal
glycosides
Sugar-linked chemical compounds
- steroidsPerformance-enhancing hormones
- phytosterolsBotanical membrane lipids
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
steroidal · phytochemicals · hydrolysis · molecular · sterol · lipophilic · hydrophilic
cholesterol-lowering
Reducing blood fats
- antitumorOpposing malignant growth
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
adjuvant · bioactive · therapeutic · hypoglycemic · cardioprotective · anti-inflammatory · nutraceutical · expectorant · adaptogenic
- Natural Compoundsalkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, polyphenols, glycosides
- plant defensesthorns, spines, trichomes, toxins, latex
- Plant Toxinsricin, oleander, foxglove, deadly nightshade, nightshade
- phytochemistryphytochemicals, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, glycosides
- Adjuvantsalum, aluminum hydroxide, squalene, saponin, calcium phosphate
- Bioactivesphytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, antioxidants
saponinslipids
Water-insoluble biomolecules
triglycerides · waxes · fatty acids · oils · simple sugars