Detergent Plants of Northern Thailand: Potential Sources of Natural Saponins

Abstract

The natural forests of Northern Thailand are the mother source of many utilisable natural products because of their diverse flora and fauna. Among many plant species found within Northern Thai forests, detergent plants are known for its distinctive cleansing properties. Several local species of detergent plants in Thailand are traditionally used by the locals and indigenous people. However, these plants may become extinct because their habitats have been replaced by industrial agriculture, and their uses have been replaced by chemically synthesised detergents. Researchers need to study and communicate the biology, phytochemistry, and the importance of these plants to conserve natural biodiversity of Northern Thailand. Of many utilisable detergent phytochemicals, natural saponins are known as bio-surfactant and foaming agents. Their physiochemical and biological properties feature structural diversity, which leads to many industrial applications.  In this review, we explained the term “detergent” from the physiological mechanism perspective and the detergent effects of saponin.  We also compiled a list of Thai local plants with cleansing properties focusing on the saponin-containing plants. Future studies should investigate information relative to plant environment, ethnobotanical data and bioactive compound content of these plants. The knowledge acquired from this study will promote the maintenance of the local biodiversity and the conservation of the detergent plant species found in Thailand.

The Cannabis Terpenes

“…Sulfur containing compounds such as allicin in garlic can be used to reduce lipoglycerides in the blood and also have the ability to stimulate appetite [ 47 ]. Saponin glycoside in soap nuts can be used as a surfactant [ 48 ], and finally, the terpenoids, which are main ingredients found in plants containing essential oils [ 49 ], are used as food additives and some depict psychoactive ability and aroma characteristics such as those found in the cannabis. Terpenes are hydrocarbons with small isoprene units linked to one another to form chains, while terpenoids are oxygen-containing terpenes.…”

Ethnochemometric of plants traditionally utilised as local detergents in the forest dependent culture

“…Even though they had not used them, but they could at least distinguish or experience the uses of these plants in other ways. It is known by Thai people that the mucilaginous leaves of L. glutinosa are used in combination with kafir lime and flower of butterfly pea for Thai traditional shampoo ( Panyadee et al, 2016 , Wisetkomolmat et al, 2019 ). Gender was also not significantly correlated to knowledge of plant utilisation ( Lara Reimers et al, 2019 ).…”

“…The general terms used to describe cleansing purposes including; ‘shampoo’, ‘scrub’, ‘detergent’, ‘soap’, ‘scent’ and ‘spiritual cleansing’ were generated from our previous study and also list of the plants used for same purposes in Northern Thai areas from various ethnobotanical documents ( Wisetkomolmat et al, 2019 ) ( Table 1 ). The total of 68 interviewees were randomly selected based on the length of time that they resided in this community (>20 years).…”

“…These group of plants contain main bioactive compounds which are saponins, known as bio-based surfactants ( Bouillon, 1996 , Kregiel et al, 2017 , Oleszek and Hamed, 2010 , Osbourn, 1996 ). Need for these valuable active ingredients has ramped-up along with the urge for the replacement of chemical synthesis that is harm our environment, however, the knowledge of Thai local plants used for cleansing purposes is being declined ( Wisetkomolmat et al, 2019 ). Moreover, scientific evidences regarding the perception of local detergent plants as well as terms to describe detergent properties are somewhat confusing ( Inta et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Moreover, scientific evidences regarding the perception of local detergent plants as well as terms to describe detergent properties are somewhat confusing ( Inta et al, 2013 ). Wisetkomolmat et al (2019) documented the list of plants utilised as for cleaning purposes by Thai ethnic groups. Nonetheless, the analyses regarding to their physiochemical functionalities, particulary to describe detergent properties have yet been elucidated anywhere.…”