How Do Soapberries Clean?
Saponin Is The Key
The fruit of the soapberry tree produces saponin which naturally protects the fruit by repelling bugs, bacteria and fungus. Approximately 15% of the outer fruit of the soapberry is made up of saponin. The seed, which is removed during harvesting, does not contain any saponin.
Saponin and Water
To understand how saponin from soapberries cleans, we need to understand its impact on water and dirt.
Surface tension of water
Surface tension must be reduced so water can spread and wet surfaces in order for cleaning to take place. Elements that do this effectively are called surface active agents, or surfactants. They are said to make water “wetter.”
Surfactants also perform other important functions in cleaning. They loosen, emulsify (dispersing in water) and hold soil in suspension until it can be rinsed away.
Saponin from the soapberry is an effective cleaner because it is a surfactant that performs both of these functions - naturally.
