Analysis and selection of different methods to eliminate the two varieties saponins Chenopodium quinoa

Abstract

Was analyzed and selected the most appropriate method to remove the saponins of the two bitter kinds of quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), amarilla de maragani and sajama morada, according to cost benefit criteria, with the purpose of encourage the propagation, use and treatment of the species in the region to cause of their own features, allowing to the primary productor realize the desaponification with an economy method and more favorable to the environment.

Desaponification methods were evaluated wet, mixed, chemical, thermo mechanical and dry. The best results were obtained applying the combined method, successfully eliminated 75 per cent of the saponins.

The research was realized in the Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis, located in Bogotá, D.C., at an altitude of 2551 meters, between September 2007 and June 2008.