Quillaja saponaria wood extract Refined processing and forestry management guarantee sustainability and ecological benefits

REGINA U. WALTHER1*, LEANDRO PADILLA2, JAVIER GONZÁLEZ2, RODRIGO OTERO3
*Corresponding author
1. PERA Ingredients GmbH, Obergut 2, Springe-Eldagsen, 31832, Germany
2. Natural Response, Av. Industrial 1970, Quilpué, Chile
3. Desert King International, 7024 Manya Circle, San Diego, CA 92154, USA

Abstract

Used for washing since ancient times theextract of the saponin rich bark of the Chilean Soapbarktree Quillaja saponaria was exported since 1880 to fulfil thefast growing demand for Quillaja as a foaming agent,emulsifier, and detergent for a multitude of industrialpurposes. Traditionally only the bark was extracted and the wood of the felled tree, equalling 95 percent of the biomass, was left to rot. To stop the wastage and the damage to environment, Natural Response, the CatholicUniversity of Chile and Desert King International developeda new process strategy for saponin extraction of the entirewood. New sustainable harvesting regimes, the increasingplantations and reforestation policies guarantee future bioavailability and benefit the environment and thepeasant population as well.


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