Enhancement of oleanolic acid concentration through acid hydrolysis of saponin-rich extracts from Chenopodium berlandieri

• Published in: Food chemistry 2024-08, Vol.449, p.139254-139254, Article 139254
• Main Authors: Mejía-Valdez, Daniel, Antunes-Ricardo, Marilena, Martínez-Ávila, Mariana, Guajardo-Flores, Daniel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid hydrolysis; Chenopodium - chemistry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; HPLC-ELSD; Huauzontle; Hydrolysis; Oleanolic acid; Oleanolic Acid - analysis; Oleanolic Acid - chemistry; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Response surface methodology; Saponin; Saponins - chemistry; Seeds - chemistry
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139254

The study investigated Chenopodium berlandieri to analyze its oleanolic acid (OA) content. Response surface methodology with central composite design was used to improve saponin extraction, varying temperature, ethanol, and sample-to-solvent ratio. Best conditions (65 °C, 50% ethanol, 1:10 ratio) yielded 53.45 ± 0.63 mg/g of extract from Huauzontle seeds. Temperature linearly impacted extract yield, while temperature and ethanol influenced total saponin content. Hydrolyzing saponin-rich extracts produced OA-rich extracts. Characterization via HPLC-ELSD and LC-MS identified OA4 as the most concentrated OA saponin (5.54 ± 0.16 mg/g). OA alone reached 2.02 ± 0.12 mg/g. Acid hydrolysis increased OA content by up to 3.27×, highlighting the potential of hydrolyzed Huauzontle extracts as a natural ingredient for various industries due to enhanced OA content. •Identified twelve triterpenoid saponins in Chenopodium berlandieri.•Successfully optimized extract and saponin yields using CCD and RSM.•Oleanolic acid saponins demonstrated the highest concentration in the extract.•Acid hydrolysis increased Oleanolic acid concentration by up to 3.27 times.