Method for the Separation of Soybean Saponins from Soybean Meal by a Macroporous Adsorbent Resin: Optimization and Property Characterization

Abstract

Soy saponins are a group of secondary metabolites found in legumes that have a variety of physiological activities and are used in a wide range of medical, agricultural, and chemical applications. In this study, AB-8 macroporous adsorbent resin was used as a green and cost-effective adsorbent for the adsorption and purification of the crude extract of soy saponins. Under optimal extraction conditions, the yield of purified soy saponins was 3.72% and the purity was 72.14%. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the extracted soy saponins were investigated as well as their emulsification and foaming properties under food conditions. It can be concluded that soy saponins have good prospects as amphiphilic compounds with potential applications in food and pharmaceuticals. Their relevance is also related to the possibility of extracting pulses from industrial waste from food manufacturing, thus allowing efficient multiple use of byproducts and residues in the context of the “circular economy” model.