Investigation and Extraction of Effective Components in Washing Properties of Anabasis Setifera Plant Extract

Anabasis Setifera is a native plant of Balochestan-Iran that was used for washing textiles traditionally. In this work, the identification of saponins as a surfactant/detergent in the stems and leaves of this plant was studied. The experiments showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids and phenolic compounds and the absence of tannins and flavonoids in the extracts. Three different methods were used for extraction of active materials from this plant and their physical-chemical properties were compared with each others. The results showed that the yield of extraction was different and as a result, their surface tension properties, and critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) varied. The CMC value of the extracted compounds by traditional method (~33 mg/L) was much lower than those of the corresponding compounds extracted by water or alcohol extractions (~166 mg/L). The extracted compounds with the traditional method had the best properties considering the CMC value and foamability.