Novel process for the extraction of furostanolic saponins from fenugreek seeds

A commercially viable process for the extraction of furostanolic saponins from fenugreek seeds, in which one of the compounds in the extract is protodioscin, the said process comprising the steps of:

• providing plurality of fenugreek seeds and crushing the same by
• milling and grinding
• extraction using a combination of steps involving organic solvents and chromatography
• decolorizing the final extract by use of activated charcoal concentration of the extract by heating and vacuum drying sieving the final powdered product wherein
• seeds used in the extraction process have a furostanolic saponin content of not less than 1%
• the entire extraction process is carried out below 80 degree Celsius, at an optimum temperature range between 35 to 65 degree Celsius and optimum pH near neutral i.e. between 6 to 8.
• The primary extraction step comprises performing one or more extractions on the prepared fenugreek seeds using a first hydrophilic polar solvent which is a lower primary aliphatic alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, butanol or the like followed by ion-exchange chromatography
• A secondary extraction step after ion-exchange chromatography using a composite solvent which is a mixture of a chlorohydrocarbon such as methylene dichloride and an aliphatic alcohol such as methanol, in an optimum ratio of 1:1
• The final purified fraction has a titrostanolic saponin content of >70% and one the identified compounds in the fraction is protodioscin at a concentration of >30%.