Studies on the natural hydrophobic binders of flabelliferns and their effects on some bioactivities

Abstract

The fruit pulp and flour of Palmyrah (Borassus Flabellifer L.) contain flabelliferins (steroidal saponins) which are found naturally bound to hydrophobic molecules which give them a blue fluorescence in ultra violet (UV) light. These hydrophobic molecules have been isolated and have been found to be carotenoids, most probably phytofluene and phytoene. The presence of these binders modulate the bioactivity of flabelliferins. That is, they lower ATPase inhibition activity of flabelliferin-II (F-II) and increase the anti-microbial activity of flabelliferin-B (F-B) against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922).