Spirits Lecture Notes PDF

Spirits (Solutions containing mixed solvent system)  Spirits (essence)  Spirits are solutions of volatile substances in alcohol.  The volatile substance is usually a volatile oil  The contents in spirits are more than in aromatic water.  Spirits are alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solut...

Spirits (Solutions containing mixed solvent system)  Spirits (essence)  Spirits are solutions of volatile substances in alcohol.  The volatile substance is usually a volatile oil  The contents in spirits are more than in aromatic water.  Spirits are alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solutions of volatile substances prepared by simple solution or by admixture of ingredients.  alcoholic concentration of spirits is rather high usually over 60%  These are used as flavoring agents and may have medicinal value. Uses of spirits 1. As a flavoring agent 2. Medicinally for their therapeutic value of the aromatic solute. Spirits may be taken orally (Aromatic Ammonia spirit), must mixed with a portion of water to reduce the pungency of spirit Or applied externally (Camphor spirit) Or used by inhalation Preparation of spirits Depending on the materials, spirits may be prepared by 1. Simple solution 2. Maceration 3. Distillation  Preparation of spirits  Volatile oil dissolved in alcohol  Water is avoided during preparation because it will cause turbidity due to precipitation of the water insoluble volatile oil, except as specified in the formula  Graduates and other equipment should be dry.  Filter paper should be moistened with alcohol (alcohol not less than 60%) Official spirits  Aromatic ammonia spirit NF  Camphor spirit NF  Compound orange spirit USP  Peppermint spirit NF Aromatic ammonia spirit NF Rx  solution of ammonia (1.7g -2.1g) and ammonium carbonate (3.5-4.5g) in alcohol and distilled water perfumed with the oils of lemon, lavender, and nutmeg.  It Contain the lowest % of alcohol 62-68%  Aromatic ammonia spirit NF  It acts as a carminative due to volatile oils present  And as antacid, and as a  mild reflex circulatory stimulant due to liberation of ammonia from ammonium carbonate (used for fainting)  Makes a milky preparation upon dilution with water due to oils present It is usually colorless; on standing will be a pale amber color unless it is preserved. The color change is due to oxidation of the oils. It does not alter the medicinal action of the preparation  Camphor spirit NF  It is referred to as tincture of camphor (contains the highest % of alcohol 80- 87%)  Simple solution of 10% camphor in alcohol  Used externally and internally  Applied to cold sore  as mild reflex circulating stimulant  as mild expectorant  Compound orange spirit USP  Used entirely as a flavoring agent  It is a blend of several oils  It is readily prepared by simple solution  Important ingredient of aromatic elixir  Peppermint Spirit NF  Used as a carminative and flavor.  Leaves macerated in water to remove the tannins, xanthophyll and water soluble principles and then discard the water, express the leaves and macerate in alcohol, the alcohol will dissolve the chlorophyll which is green in color. To this alcoholic solution 10% of volatile oil is added. The leaves used do not impart any medicinal action to the preparation. This action comes from the volatile oil added to the alcohol. Many commercial products of this spirit are colorless, thus they do not conform to NF specification requiring green color but they do have the same therapeutic value What are the differences between spirits and elixirs?