This is the first comprehensive monograph to look in depth at saponins. Saponins are glycosides of triterpenes, steroids or steroid alkaloids which have a very wide distribution in plants and some marine organisms. Their biological activity includes haemolysis and fish poisoning, and the steroid saponins are essential for the manufacture of oral contraceptives and sex hormones. Saponins have also been exploited commercially as soap substitutes and in several other industrial applications. This book gives detailed information on the occurrence and distribution of saponins, their structural types, isolation, analysis and structure determination. Biological and pharmacological activities are discussed, as are aspects of commercial and industrial use. The volume provides a valuable source of data for the different classes of compound and includes and extensive list of references.

This book gives detailed information on the occurrence and distribution of saponins, their structural types, isolation, analysis and structure determination.
Reviews
"...the first of its kind...The authors have done outstanding reference work...highly recommended for any pharmaceutical, biomedical, and clinical library as well as the individual researcher in plant pharmacology...gives a perfect example of how well a rational scientific approach can serve to overcome the sometimes exisiting barriers between the applicants of 'alternative medicine' and the established school medicine." Juergen Mollenhauer. Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal
"...a comprehensive, up-to-date, and timely review of saponins....This authoritative book contains the structures of over 1300 saponins and provides over 1800 references and is thus an excellent source of information for those interested in the biological and pharmacological properties of natural products and an indispensable reference and guide to researchers active in the saponin, steroid, and triterpeniod fields." John A. Findlay, Journal of Natural Products
"This comprehensive monograph is an authoritative, well-written, and up-to-date volume which contains much chemistry and biological activity of saponins. The careful organization, systematic approach, and comprehensiveness of the volume make it a valuable resource for both scientists in industrial organizations, graduate students, and faculty members in the agricultural, biological, chemical, and medical sciences....I found this book a pleasure to read, and I believe it would be an asset to the young scientists and the established investigators who are interested in natural products, as well as creating interest in the complex field of saponin chemistry and biology." George R. Waller, Journal of the American Chemical Society



Book Information
ISBN 9780521020176
Author K. Hostettmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 564
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 820g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 32mm