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Concept

saponin

These are a class of chemical compounds found in various plants and marine animals, characterized by their soapy, detergent-like properties. In the crown-of-thorns starfish, saponins are concentrated in the spines and skin mucus, where they serve as a powerful chemical defence. They are toxic to fish and cause intense pain and tissue inflammation in humans by disrupting cell membranes and inducing haemolysis.

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