Separation and purification of saponins from Chaenomeles speciosa using macroporous resin

Object: To separate and purify saponins from Chaenomeles speciosa using macroporous resin.Methods:Six different macroporous adsorption resins were evaluated for the static adsorption and desorption capacity for saponins,the better resins were AB-8,D101 and XAD-4.The adsorption behavior of saponins on AB-8,D101 and XAD-4 resins were further investigated to determinate the macroporous resin used to purify saponins and select the suitable conditions.Experimental conditions of the fixed bed were determined as follows: saponins concentration was1.25 mg / m L,flow rate was 3.0m L / min,the amount of sample was 45 mg.The elution solvent was 55% ethanol,flow rate was 2.0m L / min. Results: The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of XAD- 4 was 13.64 mg / g,adsorption time was 2.64 h.Through only one cycle of treatment,the content of saponins was raised from 10.01% to72.41% with an overall recovery of 74.12%.Conclusions: XAD-4 resin fixed bed is suitable to be used to separate and purify saponins for its higher adsorption and desorption rate and its excellent regenerability.