Sapindus saponaria

Hess, H. D., Beuret, R. A., Lotscher, M., Hindrichsen, 1. K., Machmiiller, A., Carulla, J. E., Lascano, C. E., and Kreuzer, M. (2004). Ruminal fermentation, methanogenesis and nitrogen utilization of sheep receiving tropical grass hay-concentrate diets offered with Sapindus saponaria fruits and Cratylia argentea foliage. Anim. Sci. 79,177-189. 

The family Sapindaceae consists of 140 genera and 1500 species of trees widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. Classic examples of Sapindaceae are the fruit trees Nephelium lappaceum L. and Litchi chinensis Sonn., which provide rambutan and litchi, respectively. Chemically Sapindaceae are well known to abound with saponins and tannins. An example of ornamental Sapindaceae is Koelreuteria paniculata L., or golden rain tree, cultivated in temperate regions. The berries of Sapindus saponaria L., were used as soap by South American Indians, hence the origin of the word Sapindus from sapo and Indus or the soap of the Indies. 

From the rumen, the bacteria and protozoa flow to duodenum could be observed by measuring the markers, Nitrogen and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the rumen and duodenal digesta (Ivan et al. 2006). Not only the microbial protein synthesis, but also the flow of microbial protein to duodenum was enhanced by Sapindus saponaria (Abreu et al. 2004) and tea saponin (Mao et al. 2010 Zhou et al. 2010). These positive effects on the microbial protein synthesis, efficiency microbial protein synthesis, the microbial N flow and Non Ammonia Nitrogen (NAN) may help to improve dietary N utilization by ruminants (Busquet et al. 2005). 

Abreu A, Carulla JE, Lascano CE et al (2004) Effects of Sapindus saponaria fruits on ruminal fermentation and duodenal nitrogen flow of sheep fed a tropical grass diet with and without legume. J Anim Sci 82 1392-1400... 

Lasztity R, Hidvegi M, Bata A (1998) Saponins in food. Food Rev Int 14 371-390 Lemos TLG, Mendes AL, Sousa MP et al (1992) New saponin from Sapindus saponaria. Fitoterapia 93 515-517... 

Lemos TLG, Sousa MP, Mendes AL et al (1994) Saponin from Sapindus saponaria. Fitoterapia 95 557... 

The saponins affect different bacteria of the rumen differently as evidenced by Wang et al. (2000) and confirmed by Hess et al. (2003) who reported that total bacteria and methanogens were not affected adversely by Sapindus saponaria, but rumen protozoa were significantly lowered. It was interesting to note that methano-genesis was reduced by 20% without affecting the degradation of fiber. 

Sapindus saponaria Soapberry Hedragenin source Fruits 11... 

Microbial transformation of an hederagenin-derived saponoside (108) by a xylariaceous endophyte isolated from Sapindus saponaria [77]. 

L. S. Amaral, M. Murgu, E. Rodriguez-Filho, A. Q. L. de Souza, M. I. de Moma Sarquis, A saponin tolerant and glycoside producer xylaraceous fungus isolated from fruits of Sapindus saponaria, World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2008.24,1341-1348. 

M. Murgu, L. F. Santos, G. D. de Souza, C. Daolio, B. Schneider, A. Ferreira, E. Rodriguez-Filho, Hydroxylation of a hederagenin derived saponin by a xylareaceous fungus foimd in fruits of Sapindus saponaria,. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2008.19,831-835. 

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