Evaluación de un proceso industrial para la obtención de saponina a partir del mojuelo de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa)

Abstract

This study evaluated an industrial process to obtain saponin from quinoa bran or mojuelo (Chenopodium quinoa willd). Mojuelo as raw material was obtained from the company “Maquita Cushunchic”. The main operations for the treatment of mojuelo until obtaining crystallized saponin were: soaking, maceration, cooling, sedimentation, filtration, evaporation and drying in trays. The experimental design of the research for the analysis of the samples consisted of nine tests which ethanol concentration varied every three repetitions in the extraction by maceration (5%, 15% and 25%); and the refrigeration time, 24, 36 and 48 hours respectively. The evaporation and drying stages were decisive for the total removal of moisture from the samples. Subsequently, one of the samples was purified and used as a reference standard for the construction of a calibration curve and subsequent quantification of saponins by uv-visible spectrophotometry by measuring absorbances of all samples. It was determined that mojuelo (quinoa bran) treatment with Ethanol at a concentration of 15% and refrigeration for 24 hours favors the percentage of saponin (25.01%) and the final product. Based on the results, the global production process was scaled up at an industrial level under the most viable parameters and with a focus on treating 300 quintals of mojuelo produced annually in the company for a production of 70 quintals of crystallized saponin. It is recommended to conduct research with mojuelo from other companies and other growing areas due to the differences in bitterness of the quinoa grain, which means variation in percentage of saponins.