2/9/2024

4-Drying of crude drug

1
 2/9/2024

• Drying is the removal of water(moisture)

4-
Drying • Fresh plant usually contain high
of percentage of moisture (up to 80 or 90%)
crude
• The duration of drying process varies
drug from (few hour) to (many weeks)

• Stops enzymatic action that might change the

active constituents.

• Avoids deterioration upon storage by preventing

the growth of microorganisms (bacteria and
Why Drying fungi).
is
• Facilitates grinding into powdered form.
necessary?
• Reduces weight and bulk facilitates
packing and storage.

2
 2/9/2024

The most important factors in

drying process

1- Temperature 2- Time
 To use as low  To carry out the
temperature as operation as rapid
possible. as possible.

Methods of drying
Natural Artificial
Drying Drying

Sun drying Direct fire

Shade drying Heated stove

Drying shed
chambers

Vacuum drying

Freeze drying (Lyophilization)

3
 2/9/2024

Artificial drying has a distinct advantage over air –

drying in that is immediately stops enzymatic action

Drying sheds chambers.

Stove Drier with

Sun Drying
removable wire
tray or rack.

Precautions for Drying Different Plant Organs

1-Leaves dried quickly

fresh green color & prevent
decomposition of active 2-Flowers dried rapidly,
constituents e.g. Digitalis leaves low temp. in shade, to
Rapidly retain the color
Vacuum oven
60oC
3-Fruits & seeds: on trays, in sun or
shade

4-Barks, large roots&rhizomes

dried in sun , sliced to Senna pods Linseed
facilitate drying

4
 2/9/2024

5. Packing of the crude

drugs

Why Packing????
Packing provides :

Protection

less space during storage and shipment.

5
 2/9/2024

Packing of the crude drugs

• 1-Leaves and herbs :- Baled into

compact mass
methods •
of • 2-Volatile oil :- enameled cans

packing • 3- Gum resin and extracts : - in

barrels

6- Storage of crude drugs

6
 2/9/2024

6- Storage of crude drugs

The last and most important stage in

handling of crude drugs.

Drugs may deteriorate if they are

stored under uncontrolled condition.

Few drugs are not affected on storage.

The quality of some drugs is improved on

storage such as Frangula and Cascara barks.

Mentha

Aromatic drugs(containing volatile oil) usually

lose their aroma.

What changes Drugs containing fixed

may occur on oil may be rancid.
storage?
Linseed

Digitalis leaves may lose their activity..

Digitalis

7
 2/9/2024

pharmacopoeias instructions
for storage of crude drugs : -
1. In well closed containers.

2. Protected from light, moisture and dust.

3. At low temperature.

4. Protected from insect infestation.

Factors affecting
deterioration of crude drugs

• 1- Moisture
A- Physicochemical • 2- Light
factors • 3- Temperature
• 4- Air

• 1- Bacteria and fungi

B- Biological factors • 3- Insects
• 4- Rodents

8
 2/9/2024

A- Physicochemical factors

• Bad effect of moisture :

• 1-Hydrolysis of active constituents by
enzymes.
• 2-The growth of bacteria and fungi
• 3-It increases the weight of the drug
1- Moisture thus decreases the % of active
constituents.

How to over come?

1-Temporary stabilization using dehydrating
agent such as quick lime or calcium chloride
2- Complete stabilization

A- Physicochemical factors ( Cont.)

• Affect delicate drugs having color:

• 1-Rose petals are red brown
• 2-Digitalis leaves lose its activity more
rapidly in sun light

2 – Light

How to over come?

Drugs should be stored in the dark or by the use
of opaque or amber-colored glass containers.

9
 2/9/2024

A- Physicochemical factors ( Cont.)

3- • Drugs directly affected :those containing

volatile oils such as cloves and chamomile
Temperature :

Oxygen of air lower the quality of the product.

4 – Air Powdered drugs are more liable to oxidative effects
than entire drugs as diffusion of oxygen is more
faster.

B- Biological factors

Bacteria and fungi

-Fungi attack drugs rich in Insects
nutritive substances -render drugs
- change physical properties unsuitable
of drug (e.g. color and for preparation
texture). of standard
extracts.

10
 2/9/2024

How to treat?
• Exposing drug to temp. 60 – 65 oC.
• Treatment kills insects eggs.
I. Heat treatment • This method is not suitable if heating affect
the active constituents of the drug.

• Uses of volatile insecticides in closed areas

such as carbon disulphide or T-gas (a
mixture of 90% Ethylene oxide and 10%
carbon dioxide).
II. Fumigation • Repeat fumigation at intervals as it
doesn’t kill eggs.

• Drug is dipped in freshly slacked lime or

sprinkled with quick lime.
• Block the respiratory system of insects and
larvae.
III. Liming
• Used for few drugs e.g. Ginger and
Nutmeg.

• Subjecting drug to refrigerator.

IV. Freezing

11
 2/9/2024

4. Rodents:

 They cause spoilage of crude drug during

storage if the drugs are store in paper,
cloth, card-board or wooden containers.

 The rodents attack can be prevented by

storing in glass, plastic or metal
containers.

 Rodenticides (e.g. alpha-

naphthylthiourea, A.N.T.U.) may be
used to eliminate rates and mice.

7-Adulteration of natural
product
• In general adulteration occurs when the drug is
scarce, or when it is expensive.

12
 2/9/2024

Sophistication (true
adulteration)

Substitution
Addition of
worthless heavy
materials

Adulteration
The presence of
adventitious
Admixture
materials within the
drug

Deterioration or
Inferiority
spoilage

1- Sophistication
Addition of an inferior material to the original
drug with intend to defraud.
powder
ginger

Enhance the pungency

Capsicum Ginger Flour

curcuma (to
restore the
color)

13
 2/9/2024

2- Substitution
An entirely different article used or sold in place of
the original drug.
Substitution of Substitution of Substitution of
inferior commercial exhausted drugs superfacially similar
varieties drugs

Clove
Senna
Dog Senna exhausted drug Clove stalk and mother
clove

3- Admixture

• The addition of one article to another through

accident, ignorance or carelessness.

4-Deterioration

●An impairment of the quality of the drug by

destruction of the valuable constituent by
distillation, moist ,heat….. etc

14
 2/9/2024

5-Addition of worthless heavy materials

• large stone, sand, lime stone
to increase weight of the drug .
e.g. Licorice

6-Presence of adventitious matter

• Naturally occurring with the drug

e.g. excessive stem with Stramonium.

15