Investigation of chemical characteristics of Eshnan (Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss) and quantitative determination of saponin ginsenosides by high-performance liquid chromatography

Eshnan (Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss), a salt-tolerant and drought-resistant plant, is often found in salty desert areas. In the present report, Eshnan was subjected to extraction using methanol, ethanol, and water utilizing a Soxhlet extractor. A total of 51 compounds were identified in the plant inclusive of secondary metabolites such as phenols, polyphenols, phytosterol, amino acid, fatty acid, etc. utilizing GC/MS analysis. The methanolic extract had the highest phenolic content, whereas ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant activity. Aqueous extract contained the highest levels of saponin, as well. CTAB represented a higher foaming capacity as compared to the plant extracts. HPLC analysis of the plant extract confirmed the presence of the saponin ginsenoside Rb1 for the first time. The results showed a rich source of saponins, polyphenols, and fatty acids in Eshnan. Due to the significant quantity of saponins within the plant, it can be used as an alternative natural surfactant to chemical surfactants that are currently utilized in industry.