CITRAL
Synonym: Citral
Biological Source: Citral is a
monoterpene aldehyde obtained from
oils of Cymbopogon flexuosus, or
Lemon grass. It belongs to the family
Graminae. It contains no less than
75% of aldehyde. It is also found in
lemon oil (Citrus limonum) and
orange oil (Citrus aurantium) from the
family Rutaceae.
Isolation:
Method 1: Hydro-distillation
Method 2: Fractional
crystallization Method
Fresh plant material is
hydro-distilled to obtain lemon
grass oil.
Pure sodium bisulfite is added to
the total oil, which causes the
citral to get converted into its
sulfite adduct.
The adduct crystallizes out of the
solution.
The crystals are filtered and
washed with ether or chloroform.
The product is then subjected to a
sodium carbonate treatment to
recover citral.
Citral is found in two forms: Citral-a
(Geranial) and Citral-b (Neral).
Properties:
Appearance: Clear pale yellow
liquid
Odour: Strong lemon-like odour
Taste: Lemon-like taste
Solubility: Soluble in 3 parts of 70%
alcohol, chloroform, and fixed oil.
Insoluble in water.
Boiling point: 224-228°C
Identification by chemical test:
Test 1: Alcoholic solution of Sudan
red III is added to the sample. A red
colour appears, indicating the
presence of citral.
Test 2: Tincture alkane is added to
the sample. A red colour appears,
indicating the presence of citral.
Analysis by TLC:
Sample preparation: 1mg of Citral is
dissolved in 1ml of methanol.
Standard sample: Citral
Stationary phase: Silica gel - G
Mobile phase: Pure chloroform
Detecting agent: 2, 4, dinitrophenyl
hydrazine reagent
Color spots: Yellow to orange
RF Value: 0.51 [4, 5]
Utilization: It is used as a flavoring
agent and perfumery. Commercially,
citral acts as a precursor for the
synthesis of beta-ionone.
Beta-ionone is used as a starting
material for the synthesis of Vitamin
A.
Storage condition: It should be stored
in well-closed and air-tight containers
protected from light and in a cool
place.
RUTIN
Synonym: Rutin
Biological source: Rutin is a
flavonoid glycoside obtained from
the powdered dried food grains of
Fagopyrum esculentum, or Buck
wheat. It belongs to the family
Polygonaceae. It is also obtained
from various citrus fruits.
Isolation:
A required quantity of Fagopyrum
powder is defatted with n-hexane
and filtered.
The marc (residue) is extracted
with 78% of alcohol for 1 hour,
filtered, and evaporated to obtain a
dried residue.
The residue is dissolved in a
sufficient quantity of 50% acetone,
filtered, and the solvent is
evaporated to 1/4th of its original
volume.
A sufficient quantity of 5%
aqueous solution of borax is
added (until the resulting pH is
7.5) with continuous stirring.
A sufficient quantity of solid NaCl
is added with stirring.
The mixture is filtered and then
acidified with phosphoric acid to a
pH of 1.5.
The mixture is then stirred for 15
minutes.
The moisture is filtered and the mother
liquor is washed with a 20% NaCl
solution.
The aqueous mixture is filtered and the
filtrate is evaporated to 50-70°C to
1/4th of its original volume.
HCl is added to the mixture in a hot
condition to bring the pH to 1.5.
The mixture is cooled and kept in a
refrigerator overnight.
Rutin crystals separate out.
Properties:
Appearance: Greenish-yellow powder
Odour: Odourless
Taste: Tasteless
Solubility: Sparingly soluble in water
but its solubility increases in boiling
water. Soluble in methyl alcohol,
isopropyl alcohol, pyridine, and a
solution of alkali hydroxides.
Identification by chemical test:
Vitali-Morin test: A small quantity of the
solid atropine is taken, and 2 drops of
concentrated nitric acid are added to it
in an evaporating dish. The mixture is
then evaporated to dryness on a water
bath. The residue is dissolved in 1ml of
acetone, and a few drops of freshly
prepared alcoholic potassium
hydroxide solution are added. A violet
coloration appears due to the tropane
nucleus.
Analysis by TLC:
Sample preparation: 1mg of Rutin
is dissolved in 1ml of methanol.
Standard sample: Rutin
Stationary phase: Silica gel - G
Mobile phase: Ethyl acetate:
butanone: formic acid: water
(50:30:10:10)
Alternate Mobile Phase: Ethyl
acetate: butanone: formic acid:
water (100:10:11:27)
Detecting agent: Anisaldehyde
sulphuric acid reagent
RF Value: 0.43 (10% aqueous
sodium chloride solution)
Color spot: Yellow spot
Utilization: It is used to treat
capillary bleeding and increased
capillary fragility, and is useful in
the treatment of retinal
hemorrhages. It is also used as an
antioxidant.
Storage condition: It should be
stored in well-closed and air-tight
containers protected from light
and in a cool place.
ATROPINE
Synonym: Atropine
Biological source: Atropine is a
tropane alkaloid obtained from the
fresh or dried leaves and flowering
tops of Atropa belladonna, Datura
stramonium (less than 0.25%),
and Hyoscyamus niger (not less
than 0.05%), belonging to the
family Solanaceae.
Isolation:
A required quantity of coarse
powder is taken and moistened
with a sodium carbonate solution.
The blended mixture is extracted
in petroleum ether and filtered.
The filtrate is treated with
aqueous acetic acid and the
aqueous fraction is extracted with
ether.
Both fractions are separated by a
separating funnel and discarded.
Aqueous (Acidic fraction) is made
alkaline with sodium carbonate
solution to obtain a precipitate of
tropane alkaloids.
The precipitate is filtered and dried
to obtain a residue.
The residue is dissolved in methyl
ether, filtered, and the solvent is
evaporated.
Atropine crystals will be
separated.
The crystals are filtered and
dissolved in an alcohol containing
sodium hydroxide solution
(hyoscyamine is converted to
atropine).
The atropine sulphate is
recrystallized from acetone and
atropine crystals are separated.
Properties:
Appearance: Colourless crystal or
white crystalline powder
Odour: Odourless
Taste: Bitter taste
Solubility: Easily soluble in water,
soluble in ethanol, but insoluble in
ether and chloroform.
Identification by chemical test
(Vitali-Marin test):
A small quantity of the solid
atropine is taken and subject to 2
drops of concentrated nitric acid.
The mixture is evaporated to
dryness on a water bath.
The residue is dissolved in 1ml of
acetone and a few drops of freshly
prepared alcoholic potassium
hydroxide solution are added.
A violet coloration appears due to
the tropane nucleus.
Analysis by TLC:
Sample preparation: 1mg of
Atropine is dissolved in 1ml of
chloroform.
Standard sample: Atropine
Stationary phase: Pre-coated
Silica gel
Mobile phase: Toluene: Ethyl
acetate: Diethyl amine (70:20:10)
Detecting agent: Dragendorff's
reagent
RF Value: 0.70
Color spot: Yellow orange spot
Utilization: It is used as an
antispasmodic, mydriatic, and an
antidote in opium poisoning.
Storage condition: It should be
stored in well-closed and air-tight
containers protected from light
and in a cool place.