Question

A saponin called Yamogenin from Yam plant, Dioscorea is used as
A. Insecticide
B. Perfume
C. Insect repellent
D. Oral contraceptive

Answer 1

Saponins are compounds that are frequently found in many plants. As the name suggests they have soap like properties. Their structure comprises a steroid or triterpenoid aglycone linked to one or more oligosaccharide moieties. Recent studies have shown that the saponins that are found in plants are associated with several beneficial effects such as acting as antivirus, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic and many more.

Complete Answer:
- Saponins comprises eleven different classes among which oleanane is the most common.
- Saponins that have the oligosaccharide group attached at carbon three are called monodesmosidic, whereas the ones where the oligosaccharide groups were attached at carbon three as well as carbon twenty-seven or twenty- eight are termed as bidesmosidic.
- The carbohydrates that comprise the oligosaccharide chains are majorly glucose, galactose, rhamnose and arabinose. Saponins due to their amphiphilic nature result in the formation of micelles in aqueous solution.
- Saponins are found in more than hundred different varieties of plants where serve have a range of different functions. The saponin from Dioscorea is the precursor for the commercial synthesis of steroids such as cortisone, progesterone and pregnenolone.
- Thus the saponin from yam plants is used to produce oral contraceptives since it has the ability to produce progesterone like hormones.

So the correct answer is D) oral contraceptive.

Note: Saponins are biologically very important compounds that are abundant in plants and help plants in various ways. But it is also helpful for humans as it leads to the production of many commercially important compounds, one of which we got to know above.