Saponins are a large and structurally diverse class of naturally occurring glycosides characterized by a hydrophobic aglycone (sapogenin) attached to hydrophilic sugar chains. This creates soap-like foaming properties. They are extracted from numerous plant sources including Quillaja bark, soapberry, yucca, ginseng, and soy.
Saponins demonstrate immunoadjuvant, cholesterol-lowering, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Their amphiphilic structure makes them effective natural surfactants and emulsifiers. Commercially, saponins are used as vaccine adjuvants, dietary supplements, natural food emulsifiers, agricultural biopesticides, and industrial surfactants.