SAPONIN ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF ALFALFA SEEDLINGS

Abstract

The saponin content of alfalfa of different age was investigated by thin-Iayer- chromatographic densitometric method and by a biological method, by the Trichoderma- bioassay. With the help of the Trichoderma-bioassay the highest level of saponin was determined in the cotyledons of the alfalfa seedlings, independently of the age of the seedlings. Comparing the results obtained by the two methods it was found that the fungistatic activity or toxicity of the saponins of the cotyledons are more intensive than that of the leaves of developed plants.