Preparation of Medicinal Plants for Commercial Market

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What is the purpose of the sieve in the classification process?

To measure the size of the particles

To remove all the particles from the material

To blend the coarse and fine particles together

To separate the coarse particles from the fine particles (correct)

What is the purpose of blowing the material to be classified with compressed air?

To generate static electricity and attract the particles

To allow the particles to sediment according to their weight (correct)

To remove any impurities from the material

To create a uniform distribution of the particles

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps involved in the preparation and quality of medicinal plants for the commercial market?

Drying

Extraction

Cultivation

Packaging (correct)

Which of the following factors must be considered during the storage of plant crude drugs?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the grinding step in the preparation of medicinal plants?

To increase the surface area of the plant material Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can impact the supply and availability of phytopharmaceuticals?

Packaging Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with storing drugs in powdered form according to the text?

Powdered drugs become hygroscopic and form a rubbery mass on prolonged exposure to air. Signup and view all the answers

What is the optimal temperature range for storing medicinal herbs according to the text?

2-8°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with storing medicinal herbs at high temperatures according to the text?

It causes the essential oils in the herbs to evaporate and the lipid-containing herbs to decompose. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended moisture content for storing medicinal herbs?

10-12% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with storing medicinal herbs with excessive moisture content according to the text?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using desiccants like quicklime, silica gel or roasted rice in the storage of medicinal herbs according to the text?

To absorb excess moisture and maintain the optimal moisture content. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for intentional adulteration mentioned in the text?

To substitute with morphologically similar but inferior substances Signup and view all the answers

Why might waste products be used as adulterants according to the text?

To add color and density to the adulterated substance Signup and view all the answers

How can adulteration be done with superficially similar inferior natural substances?

By using unrelated substances with similar therapeutic activity Signup and view all the answers

Which example of intentional adulteration involves substituting with inferior commercial varieties?

Replacing medicinal ginger with Japanese ginger Signup and view all the answers

Why is clove used as an example of intentional adulteration in the text?

Because clove retains its shape after extraction of volatile oil Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice highlighted in the text for adulterating drugs containing volatile oils?

Utilizing spent cloves that have had volatile oil extracted Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of steps involved in the preparation of medicinal plants for the commercial market?

Cultivation, Collection & Harvesting, Drying, Grinding, Storage, Extraction, Adulteration Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to grind the plant material after drying?

To produce powder of suitable and uniform particle size Signup and view all the answers

Which machine is commonly used for grinding plant materials to produce low-dust powders of leaves and roots?

Mortar and pestle Signup and view all the answers

After grinding plant materials, what must be done to ensure proper particle size?

Sifting Signup and view all the answers

What process involves passing the material through a sieve of suitable mesh size?

Sieving Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used for sifting after grinding that involves blast sifting?

Sieving Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of extracting medicinal plants for the commercial market?

To sell the plant extract as a drug Signup and view all the answers

What is the process used to obtain a plant extract?

Solid-liquid extraction using a solvent Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between dry extracts and fluid extracts?

Dry extracts have a solid consistency, while fluid extracts are liquid Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of tinctures?

To prepare a liquid extract using a mixture of water and ethanol as the solvent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a step involved in the preparation and quality control of medicinal plants for the commercial market?