This document outlines a procedure for measuring the swelling factor and mucilage content of isapgol seeds. 1 gram of isapgol seeds are added to a 25ml cylinder filled with water up to the 20ml mark. After agitating and allowing the seeds to swell for 24 hours, the volume occupied by the swollen seeds is measured. Genuine isapgol seeds should occupy a volume of at least 10ml, indicating their high mucilage content. The swelling index provides an evaluation of isapgol seeds and reflects the amount of mucilage in the seeds.

1. By:
Mrs. Poonam N. Chougule
Assistant Professor and HOD of
Pharmacognosy department
AMCP, Peth- Vadgaon.

2.  Materials Required: 25ml stoppered measuring cylinder,
isapgol seeds.
 Principal: Isapgol seeds contain mucilage in the
epidermis. All these seeds can be evaluated by
measuring the volume of mucilage produced within 24
hours from 1gm of seeds. This is termed as swelling
factor and it reflects on the mucilage content of the seed.
The swelling index represents the volume in milliliters
occupied by one gram of crude drug, including adhering
mucilage after it is allowed to swell in an aqueous liquid
for four hours. The swelling Index for various seeds of
Plantago species was first examined by Skyrme and
Wallis. The technique has been accepted as an official
method for evaluation of seeds by different
Pharmacopoeias.

3. 1. Transfer 1gm of the seeds to a 25ml of
stoppered cylinder.
2. Fill up to the 20ml mark on the cylinder
with water. Agitate gentle and
occasionally during 24hrs and allow to
stand.
3. Measure the volume occupied by the
swollen seeds. The genuine seeds of
isapgol occupy a volume of not less than
10ml.

4. The Swelling index of isapgol was found to
be ……