Study of functional properties of Sapindus mukorossi as a potential bio-surfactant

Functional properties such as critical micellar concentration, emulsification and hemolytic activity of raw ritha (Sapindus mukorossi) aqueous solution have been investigated. Commercially available ritha fruits were soaked overnight to prepare concentrated stock solution. Critical micellar concentration was found to be 0.017 gm/cc (1.7 wt %) at which the surface tension of aqueous solution remained constant to minimum value of 38 mN/m. Emulsification activity for water-kerosene and various plant oils was found to be excellent in comparison with synthetic surfactant like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). These functional properties are comparable to the saponin composite, which is chemically extracted from ritha hence crude ritha could be used as an economical bio-surfactant. Keywords: Biosurfactant,Sapindus mukorossi, ritha, saponin, sopanut, plant.