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A reinvestigation ofBalanites aegyptiaca as a source of steroidal sapogenins

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Summary

The sapogenin content of the seed and the epicarp/mesocarp ofBalanites aegyptiaca from Egypt, India, Tanzania and Nigeria has been estimated by i.r. spectrophotometric analysis. Experiments applicable on an industrial scale are described showing how the soft fruit wall, as well as the seed, could be used as commercial sources of steroidal sapogenin to assist in meeting the estimated world demand of 1,000,000 Kg of diosgenin by 1973. A procedure whereby the nuts are sawn into two halves to release the seeds is presented as one solution to the problem of decorticating the nuts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bath, BA2 7AY, England

    Roland Hardman (Reader in Pharmacognosy and Head of Pharmacognosy Group)

  2. University of Ife, Nigeria

    Ezekiel Abayomi Sofowora (Faculty of Pharmacy)

Authors
  1. Roland Hardman
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  2. Ezekiel Abayomi Sofowora
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Hardman, R., Sofowora, E.A. A reinvestigation ofBalanites aegyptiaca as a source of steroidal sapogenins. Econ Bot 26, 169–173 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860779

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860779

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