ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SAPONINS FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA (MORINGAECEAE) PODS

Objective: Moringa oleifera Lam. is the most widely cultivated species of the monogeneric family Moringaceae and has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. In this study saponin was isolated from Moringa oleifera pods. Methods: Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed using a mobile phase of Chloroform: methanol: H2O (7:3:1) on silica gel glass plates. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of isolated compound from benzene extract obtained by Successive extraction method was carried out to confirm its nature by analyzing HPLC chromatograms. Results: Characterization of isolated saponin was done using IR and 1H NMR. Saponin from M. oleifera pods was isolated having Rf 0.90. The IR spectrum of isolated compound exhibited the presence for hydroxyl group (-OH), carboxylic acids, alkynes, presence of –C=O (esters) and >C-O (ethers) and the ring involvement or aromatic structure of the compound. 1NMR spectrum of isolated compound revealed presence of protons in the compound. Conclusion: The isolated compound was then nomenclatured as SM (saponin from Moringa pods) and was further used to determine its biological and pharmacological properties.