Abstract: Saponin is a kind of complex compounds with triterpenoid or spiral aglycones and sugar chains.The biological activities of saponins are closely related to their sugar chains and it is difficult to selectively hydrolysis the sugar chains by chemical methods.Biotransformations are chemical reactions catalyzed by cells,organs or enzymes,and may be used for specific conversions of complex substrates.Some leading compounds which are difficult to be synthesized by organic hydrolysis can be obtained using biotransformation technology.In order to provide a basic view on the development of biological transformation of saponins,this article reviewed the hydrolysis biotransformation of saponins reported in recent years.

Key words: biotransformation, hydrolysis, saponins, microorganism, enzyme