Chemical composition and cellulase-assisted extraction of total saponins from Gomphrena celosioides Mart.

The major purpose of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of dried Gomphrena celosioides Mart., including crude protein, lipid, total sugar, reducing sugar, ash, crude fiber, moisture, crude pectin, and total saponins in particular. This plant contains a large percentage of total saponins, which are widely used in food technology and pharmaceutical industries. In our study, the conditions for the extraction of total saponins from the plant were optimized, with special focus on cellulase concentration, pH, hydrolyzation time, and temperature. The highest amount of total saponins content (TSC) was 1.550±0.016% under optimal extraction conditions (cellulase concentration: 0.7% (v/w), hydrolyzation time: 4 h, hydrolyzation temperature: 60EC, and pH value: 5). Accordingly, the total saponins from G. celosioides Mart. were easily extracted.