CHEMILUMINESCENCE OF SOYBEAN SAPONINS IN THE PRESENCE OF ACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES

Natural active oxygen scavengers (Y; catalytic compounds) exhibit chem iluminescence (CL) in the presence of an X (active oxygen compounds) a nd a Z (receptive compounds). The CL derived from soyasaponins Ab and beta g, major components of group A and DDMP saponins present at high level in the hypocotyl of soybean seeds, was compared with (-)-epigall ocatechin (EGG) as the most effective Y and acetaldehyde (MeCHO) as th e most effective Z in the presence of H2O2 as X. We have found that so yasaponin Ab and soyasaponin beta g are Y equivalent to EGC and Z equi valent to MeCHO, respectively. In the presence of soyasaponin Ab as Y, CL of soyasaponin beta g showed about 100-fold than that of MeCHO as Z, These results suggest that group A and DDMP saponins play an import ant role in the scavenging function of active oxygen.