Purified Saponins in Momordica charantia Treated with High Hydrostatic Pressure and Ionic Liquid-Based Aqueous Biphasic Systems

Abstract

<i>Momordica charantia</i> L. (Cucurbitaceae) is rich in saponins, which have multiple biological effects. In this study, the total saponins of <i>M. charantia</i> were extracted by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology. The optimal extraction process was determined (ethanol concentration 68%, pressure-holding time 8 min, ratio of material to solvent 1:35 and pressure 510 MPa), and the extraction amount of saponins reached 127.890 mg/g. On this basis, an ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic system was constructed to purify the total saponins. Under the optimized conditions, the purity of <i>M. charantia</i> saponins was 76.06%. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to characterize the saponins in the purified extract of <i>M. charantia</i>. It was found that there were four kinds of saponins in the extract of <i>M. charantia</i>: kuguaglycoside A, momordicoside L, kuguacin B and kuguacin J, providing a basis for the study of the biological activity of saponins.