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Questions and Answers
Which of the following describes the primary purpose of determining crude fiber content in herbal preparations?
Which of the following describes the primary purpose of determining crude fiber content in herbal preparations?
- To quantify the amount of acid-soluble materials present.
- To identify the presence of specific secondary metabolites.
- To assess the level of adulteration with cellulose and lignin. (correct)
- To measure the total mineral content within the sample.
In the procedure for determining crude fiber, what is the purpose of boiling the de-fatted material with dilute acid and then with dilute alkali?
In the procedure for determining crude fiber, what is the purpose of boiling the de-fatted material with dilute acid and then with dilute alkali?
- To remove acid-soluble and alkaline-soluble materials, respectively, leaving behind the crude fiber. (correct)
- To dissolve cellulose and lignin, making them easier to quantify.
- To neutralize any remaining acids or bases in the material.
- To convert complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars for easier measurement.
If a crude fiber determination yields a residue primarily composed of cellulose and lignin, approximately what percentage of the residue is expected to consist of these components?
If a crude fiber determination yields a residue primarily composed of cellulose and lignin, approximately what percentage of the residue is expected to consist of these components?
- 97% (correct)
- 50%
- 25%
- 5%
What role do tannins play that leads them often to be referred to as anti-nutrients?
What role do tannins play that leads them often to be referred to as anti-nutrients?
In the determination of tannins, why is the extract washed with diethyl ether?
In the determination of tannins, why is the extract washed with diethyl ether?
What is the rationale behind concentrating the extract during tannins determination?
What is the rationale behind concentrating the extract during tannins determination?
How do tannins interfere with iron absorption in the body?
How do tannins interfere with iron absorption in the body?
Considering that tannins can lead to iron deficiency, which beverage consumed without milk is most likely to cause this issue?
Considering that tannins can lead to iron deficiency, which beverage consumed without milk is most likely to cause this issue?
What does the swelling index primarily indicate about a medicinal plant material?
What does the swelling index primarily indicate about a medicinal plant material?
Why is the swelling ability of certain medicinal plant materials considered therapeutically important?
Why is the swelling ability of certain medicinal plant materials considered therapeutically important?
Flashcards
Crude Fiber Estimation
Crude Fiber Estimation
Estimation of crude fiber measures cellulose, lignin, and cork cell content in plant tissue.
Crude Fiber Process
Crude Fiber Process
De-fatting, boiling with dilute acid, then dilute alkali, drying, and weighing quantifies the weight where here indicates crude fiber plus minerals
What are Tannins?
What are Tannins?
Tannins are complex polyphenols generally known for astringent properties.
Tannin Classifications
Tannin Classifications
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Tannins as Anti-nutrients
Tannins as Anti-nutrients
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Swelling Index Definition
Swelling Index Definition
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Medicinal Swelling Properties
Medicinal Swelling Properties
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Study Notes
Quality Control of Herbal Preparations
- Quality control of these preparations involves determining the crude fiber, tannins, and swelling index.
Determination of Crude Fiber
- Crude fiber estimation measures cellulose, lignin, and cork cell content in plant tissue.
- The process involves defatting the material, boiling it with dilute acid to remove acid-soluble substances, and then boiling with dilute alkali to eliminate alkaline-soluble materials.
- After boiling with acid and alkali, drying and weighing of the resulting material (crude fiber plus minerals) takes place.
- An excess of crude fiber indicates adulteration with woody tissue, like kernels.
- Residue from a crude fiber determination contains approximately 97% cellulose and lignin.
Procedure for Determining Crude Fiber Content
- Grind the sample to pass through a 1 mm sieve.
- Weigh 1g of the sample into a crucible.
- Weigh a crucible for a blank test.
- Add a filter aid and anti-foaming agent, then add 150 ml of boiling sulfuric acid.
- Boil this mixture vigorously for 30 minutes.
- Filter and wash with 3 x 30 ml of boiling water.
- Then add an anti-foaming agent and 150 ml of boiling KOH.
- Boil this mixture vigorously for 30 minutes.
- Filter and wash with 3 x 30 ml of boiling water.
- Apply a vacuum and wash with 3 x 25 ml of acetone.
- Dry it to a constant weight at 130°C.
- Ash to constant weight at 475 - 500°C.
- Finally, calculate the percentage of crude fiber content.
Determination of Tannins
- Tannins are complex polyphenols with astringent properties.
- Tannins are classified into two major groups: true tannins and pseudo tannins.
- True tannins are further divided into hydrolysable and condensed tannins.
- Tannins connect with macro-molecules like protein, cellulose, and pectin.
- Tannins' ability to form strong complexes with proteins is essential for their nutritional and toxicological effects.
- The strength of tannin complexes hinges on the characteristics of both the tannin and the protein.
- Tannins are viewed as "anti-nutrients" due to their ability to lower the absorption of materials in the body.
- Tannins interfere with iron absorption by forming a complex with iron in the gastrointestinal lumen, reducing iron's bioavailability.
- High consumption of tea and coffee (which contain tannins) without milk can lead to calcium and iron deficiencies, potentially causing anemia.
Procedure for Tannin Determination
- Weigh 20 grams of the powdered substance into a round-bottom flask (RBF).
- Add 100 ml of 70% acetone and reflux in a water bath for 15 minutes.
- Filter and wash the marc (residue) with 70% acetone.
- Concentrate to remove the acetone.
- Wash the extract with diethyl ether three times.
- Evaporate the ether layer to isolate the pseudo tannins.
- Evaporate the aqueous layer to isolate the true tannins.
Determination of Swelling Index
- Medicinal plant materials have specific therapeutic uses because of their swelling properties.
- The swelling factor measures the volume of mucilage for 1 g of a drug over 24 hours.
- The swelling index is the volume in ml that 1 g of plant material occupies when swollen, under specified conditions.
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