Characterization of some O-acetylated saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina

Sixteen saponins were identified from a bark extract of Quillaja saponaria Molina. The compounds were characterized, using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and monosaccharide analysis, as quillaic acid substituted at C-3 with oligosaccharides consisting of a disaccharide, β- D-Gal p-(1→2)-β- D-Glc pA substituted with either D-xylose or L-rhamnose and at C-28 with complex oligosaccharide structures consisting of a disaccharide, α- L-Rha p-(1→2)-4- O-acetyl-β- D-Fuc p, substituted with various amount of D-xylose, D-glucose, D-apiose, and L-rhamnose.