U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska

 

Date of this Version

2001

Citation

J. Natural Toxins 10:273-281

Comments

U.S. government work

Abstract

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been reported to be hepatotoxic, causing photosensitization in lambs and horses. In this study we show the presence of steroidal saponins in two samples of switchgrass that has been implicated in the poisonings of sheep and horses. After hydrolysis of the saponins, diosgenin was determined to be the major sapogenin in both switchgrass samples. We also confirmed the presence of diosgenin in kleingrass after hydrolysis of saponins extracted from it.

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