Exploring Saponins from Cucumaria frondosa through Extraction, Identification, Characterization, and Bio-Activity Analysis

Kerthika Devi A.
PhD Student 
Department of Biochemistry

Date: February 3, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Abstract:

Sea cucumbers or holothurians are detritivores, shallow or deep-sea water marine organisms. They belong to the phylum Echinodermata and are renowned for their multitude of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic properties. These remarkable bioactivities stem from their rich composition of bioactive compounds, notably proteins (primarily collagen), saponins, phenols, chondroitin sulfate, glycosaminoglycans, and polysaccharides (particularly mucopolysaccharides). Among these compounds, saponins are vital secondary metabolites in sea cucumbers, exhibiting a unique range of bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-hyperuricemic, anti-obesity, and antithrombotic effects. They also share structural similarities with plant saponins, which have extensively been studied. However, despite their promising bioactivities, sea cucumber saponins' extraction, characterization, and utilization remain relatively limited compared to other bioactive compounds, potentially due to concerns regarding their toxicity. Given its abundance in the province, Cucumaria frondosa (Northern Atlantic Sea cucumber) is the species of interest for addressing this gap and unlocking sea cucumber saponin's potential. This research aims to optimize a green extraction method to maximize yield, characterize the extracted saponins, and evaluate their dual nature through cytotoxicity and antioxidant assays. The expected outcome of this research is to establish a sustainable, optimized green extraction method for sea cucumber saponins, provide a comprehensive characterization to enhance the understanding of their bioactivities and assess their potential health effects and use in future initiatives.