Bustos KAG, Muñoz SS, da Silva SS, Alarcon MADF, dos Santos JC, Andrade GJC, Hilares RT. Saponin Molecules from Quinoa Residues: Exploring Their Surfactant, Emulsifying, and Detergent Properties.
Molecules 2024;
29:4928. [PMID:
39459296 PMCID:
PMC11510682 DOI:
10.3390/molecules29204928]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2024] [Revised: 10/08/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The indiscriminate use of synthetic surfactants, despite their desirable properties, poses significant environmental risks to ecosystems. This study explores saponins extracted from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) residues as a sustainable alternative. Saponin extract (SE) with 42% purity, obtained through hydrodynamic cavitation and membrane technology, was analyzed to determine its techno-functional properties. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 1.2 g/L, reducing the surface tension (ST) from 72.0 mN/m to 50.0 mN/m. The effects of temperature (30-90 °C), pH (2-12), and salinity (10,000-150,000 ppm NaCl) on ST and the emulsification index (EI) were assessed using a Box-Behnken design. Optimized conditions yielded an ST of 49.02 mN/m and an EI of 63%. Given these characteristics, SE was evaluated as a detergent across diverse swatches. This study showcases the attributes of quinoa-derived saponins, highlighting their potential for eco-friendly detergent applications.
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