Decolorization of Sapindus Pericarp Extract by Hydrogen Peroxide and a Comparison of Basic Characteristics Before and After Decolorization

• Published in: Journal of surfactants and detergents 2014-09, Vol.17 (5), p.1003-1011
• Main Authors: Wang, Na, Wang, Heya, Weng, Zhen, Zhang, Cui, Wu, Heng, Guo, Youzhi, Sun, Zhiyong, Yao, Weirong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Antimicrobial performance; Aquatic Pollution; Bleaching; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Decolorization; Detergency; Detergents; Foam; Foaming; Hydrogen peroxide; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Original Article; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Sapindus; Saponins; Surface activities; Surface chemistry; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1097-3958; 1558-9293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11743-014-1570-9

The saponins from the pericarps of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (Sapindaceae) are attracting more and more attention because of their antimicrobial activity and their ability to act as a natural surfactant. However, the color of Sapindus pericarp extract is dark brown, which limits its application in some products. The present study aims to improve the color by adding hydrogen peroxide. An orthogonal L 9 (3) 4 test design was applied to optimize the decolorization parameters, including the amount of added hydrogen peroxide, time, temperature and pH. The extent of decolorization was up to 89.5 % below 80 °C within 80 min, using 2.5 % hydrogen peroxide at pH 6. The characteristics of Sapindus pericarp extract before and after bleaching were compared, including the antimicrobial and foaming performance, surface activities and detergency properties. There was no significant difference in either the diameters of the inhibition zone or the minimum inhibitory concentration against Candida albicans , Trichophyton rubrum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P