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BACKGROUND
Ash values are helpful to determine the quality as well as purity of a crude drug, especially when the drug is present in powdered form. The object of ashing crude drugs is to remove the traces of organic matter which may be interferes in an analytical determination. On incineration, the crude drugs normally produce ash which is usually consisting of carbonates, phosphates and silicates of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The total ash of a crude drug reveals the care taken during its preparation. A higher limit of acid- insoluble ash is incorporated especially in cases where silica may be present or when the calcium oxalate content of the drug is very high. Some researchers suggested mixing of acids like sulphuric acid with the powdered crude drug before ashing and making the ash sulphated which is normally less fusible than ordinary ash.1
The present study is designed to determine the ash value of the supplied sample.
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REQUIREMENTS
Chemicals: Dilute hydrochloric acid
Apparatus: Silica crucible
Dessicator
Ash less filter paper
Sample: Powdered liquorice
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PROCEDURE
Total ash determination
Weigh accurately about 3 gm of the powdered drug in silica crucible. Incinerate the powdered drug by increasing the heat gradually until the sample was free from carbon and cool it keep it in a desiccators. Weigh the ash and calculate the percentage of total ash in contrast to the air dried sample.
Determination of acid-insoluble ash
Boil the total ash obtained as the above procedure for 5 minutes and mix 25 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid. Filter and collect the insoluble matter on a ashless filter paper, after that wash the filter paper with hot water, ignite in tared crucible, cool and keep in desiccator. Weigh the obtained residue and calculate acid-insoluble ash of the crude drug (liquorice) with reference to the air dried drug. The unpeeled variety of liquorice root must contain not more than 10% of total ash and 2.5% of acid-insoluble ash.
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CONCLUSION
Ash value of supplied sample is ________.
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REFERENCES
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Kokate CK. Practical Pharmacognosy, 4th edition, Vallabh Prakashan. Delhi; 1994.
