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, beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-beta-D-GlcpA substituted with either D-xylose or L-rhamnose and at C-28 with complex oligosaccharide structures consisting of a disaccharide, alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-4-O-acetyl-beta-D-Fucp, substituted with various amount of D-xylose. D-glucose, D-apiose, and L-rhamnose.