ANALYSIS OF CRUDE DRUGS BY CHEMICAL TESTS

 

ASAFOETIDA

Biological Source : Asafoetida is the oleogum resin obtained by incision from the living rhizome and roots of Ferula foetida Regel, F. rubricalis Boiss. Family Umbelliferae.

 

Macroscopical Characters

Form           :           Rounded or flattened tears or masses of agglutinated tears.

Size             :           Tears 1 to 3cm in diameter

Colour        :           Dull yellow or grayish white, occasionally reddish brown.

Surface       :           Rough

Fracture      :           Brittle

Odour         :           Intense, alliaceous

Taste           :           Bitter

Solubility   :           Forms an emulsion with water and partially soluble in Alcohol.

 

Chemical constituents

Volatile oil: (6-17%)

Isobutyl propanyl disulphide-responsible for the smell

Resin : (40-60%)

Gum  : Contains ferrulic acid; which will convert into umbellic acid.

 

Pharmaceutical uses

1.     Carminative

2.     Laxative

3.     Expectorant

4.     Antispasmodic

 

Chemical Tests

1.        Place a drop of Con. Sulphuric acid on the freshly broken piece of asafetida

  - A brownish red colouration is produced

         - wash the acidified surface with water

2.        Place one drop of 50% nitric acid on the freshly broken surface.

         -A green colouration is produced.

3.        Boil 0.2gm of the powdered drug with 5ml of 90% alcohol for two minutes. Cool and filter into 5ml of alcohol containing 0.5m of 10% solution of ammonia.

-No blue fluorescence is produced (presence of combined umbelliferone).

4.        Boil 0.2gm of the powdered drug with 2ml of HCL for two minutes. Cool and dilute with equal volume of water and filter into two percent solution of ammonia

         -A bright blue fluorescence is produced (presence of combined umbelliferone).