Preservation of the bioactive saponins of Holothuria scabra through the processing of trepang
Caulier, G.; Flammang, P.; Rakotorisoa, P.; Gerbaux, P.; Demeyer, M.; Eeckhaut, I. (2013). Preservation of the bioactive saponins of Holothuria scabra through the processing of trepang. Cah. Biol. Mar. 54(4): 685-690
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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| Keywords |
Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra Jaeger, 1833 [WoRMS]; Holothuroidea [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Saponins; Holothuroids; Trepang; Mass spectrometry; Sandfish |
| Abstract |
Holothuroids produce highly diverse natural organic compounds which present interesting nutritional and pharmacological properties. This is why processed sea cucumbers, also called trepang, have a high commercial value and are consumed for food and traditional medicine in Asian communities. Among bioactive substances, saponins are secondary metabolites structurally known as triterpene glycosides. Holothuroid saponins possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects including hemolytic, cytostatic, antitumoral, antifungal and antibacterial activities. This study intends to analyse and to compare the saponins contained in the body wall of Holothuria scabra, in the water used to prepare those organisms into trepang, and finally in the trepang itself. Saponins were extracted and purified by chromatography and liquid-liquid extraction methods and were then analysed by mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS). Results show that the body wall of H. scabra contains six major saponins, with a mean concentration of 1 g.kg-1 of tissue (wet weight). The same saponins were also found in trepang with roughly the same concentration but a different proportion. In cooking water, only some saponin fragments are detected indicating that the small amount of saponin which is extracted is presumably thermally hydrolysed. |
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