• Aim: Identification of NDPS drugs by colour test

• Materials required: Test tubes, spot plate, samples,

Marquis reagent, fast blue B salt, chloroform, aqueous
sodium hydroxide solution, anhydrous sodium sulphate

• Theory: "Narcotic," derived from the Greek "Narkotikos,"

denotes substances providing pain relief and inducing sleep,
yet socially deemed unacceptable. These drugs, whether
natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic, impact the Central
Nervous System, altering the user's state of consciousness.
Physical and psychological dependencies vary based on the
specific narcotic, ranging from opium-derived compounds
like morphine to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Despite
their crucial medical roles, narcotics raise concerns due to
misuse risks, prompting global regulations. Governments
navigate the delicate balance between legitimate medical use
and curbing illegal trafficking, highlighting the ongoing
challenge of managing narcotic and psychotropic
substances.
• Marquis test :-
➢ Marquis Reagent: 8-10 drops of 40% formaldehyde
solution are added to 10 ml of Conc. Sulphuric acid.

➢ Procedure:
Take a small amount of suspected sample on a
spotting plate and add few drops of Marquis Reagent.
The appearance of purple/violet/ brown colour
indicates the presence of opium/crude morphine and
heroin.

➢ Observation: Brown coloured observed indicating

presence of morphine.

• Fast Blue B Salt Test

➢ Reagents :
Solid reagent: Dilute & mix fast blue B salt with
anhydrous sodium sulphate in the ratio of 2.5:100.
Solution 1: Chloroform
Solution 2: 0.1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution
 ➢ Procedure:
Take a small amount of suspected material in a test
tube; add to it a very small amount of the solid reagent
and 1 ml of solution 1. Shake well for one minute and
add 1 ml of solution 2. Shake the test tube for two
minutes, and allow this test tube to stand for 2
minutes. A purple red colour in the lower layer of
chloroform indicates the positive result of the presence
of cannabis product.

➢ Observation: Red-purple coloured observed indicating

presence of cannabis.
• Result: Thus, the identification of NDPS drugs is performed
successfully.