Screening for Triterpenoid Saponins Using HPTLC Methods: Prior Identification of Azukisaponin Isomers.

Due to their particular structural characteristics, the extraction and isolation of saponins from plants present a serious challenge. In this study, specific extraction protocols were first implemented to extract the secondary metabolites from and, more precisely, the saponins. Subsequent purification of the extracts was based on a single chromatographic technique, high-performance thin-layer chromatography, applying two development systems: a one-step system that separated molecules according to their polarity and a multiple development system that made it possible to detect the triterpenoid saponins, azukisaponin or soyasapogenol at a retarded Rf of 0.