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Publikations-Art
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Zeitschriftenbeitrag
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Autoren
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Sen, S.; Makkar, H. P. S.; Muetzel, S.; Becker, K.
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Erscheinungsjahr
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1998
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Veröffentlicht in
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Letters in Applied Microbiology
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Band/Volume
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27/1
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Seite (von - bis)
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35 - 38
Abstract
Escherichia coli K-12 was exposed to Quillaja saponaria saponins from various commercial firms (Sigma, Roth and Nor-feed) and to an extract of Yucca schidigera plant powder (DK Sarsaponin 30) at different concentrations (0.05-1.0% w/v). A concentration-dependent response was observed. Quillaja saponaria saponins from Sigma increased growth up to 0.1% (w/v) level, whereas Nor-feed and Roth saponins produced maximum growth at a much higher level(0.5 and 0.75%, w/v, respectively). These results suggest that Quillaja saponins from various sources differ in their biological activity, although all three saponins had the same content of vanillin-sulphuric acid reactive moieties. The lyophilized water extract from the DK Sarsaponin powder showed maximum growth at 0.1% (w/v) level. The levels at which maximum growth was observed did not change on subjecting the Quillaja or Yucca saponins to heat treatment in an autoclave (121 °C for 30 min). All the saponins and the plant extract increased growth of Escherichia coli up to a certain concentration and thereafter decreased growth. In spite of the decreased growth at higher levels of saponins, it was higher compared to the control (without saponin) up to levels of 1% (w/v) for all saponins except Quillaja saponins from Sigma, for which the growth was lower at levels of 0.25% (w/v) and higher. Saponins have the potential to modulate microbial growth in natural and artificial fermenters.
