This document provides definitions and information about resins and oleoresins. It begins by defining resins as solid or semi-solid amorphous products that are derived from natural plant sources and are oxidation products of terpenes. Oleoresins are defined as homogeneous mixtures of resins and volatile oils. The document then discusses the chemical composition, classification, identification tests, sources, and pharmaceutical applications of various resins such as colophony, podophyllum, cannabis, turpentine, and myrrh. It also provides details on the cultivation, collection and chemical constituents of some specific resins.

1. RESINS &
OLEORESINS
Dr. Waqar Ahmad
Pharm-D (Gold Medalist)
M.Phil Pharmacognossy (QAU Islamabad) Pakistan.

2. DEFINITION
 Solid or semi-solid amorphous products of
complex chemical nature
 Resins are solid or semi-solid, amorphous products
derived from natural living sources and are mostly
from the plant origin (exception is shellac that is
obtained from the secretions of insect).
 Resins are secondary metabolites produced by
higher plants and are nothing but oxidative
products of terpenes.
 Resins are amorphous solid or semisolid substances that
are invariably water insoluble but mostly soluble in
alcohol or other organic solvents.

3. • Obtained as exudates from plants and considered as
end product of metabolism
• Physically they are found to be hard, translucent or
transparent i.e., upon heating they first get softened
and ultimately melt.
• Chemically, they are complex mixtures of allied
substances, such as: resin acids, resin alcohols
(resinols), resinotannols, resin esters and glucoresins.

4. • These are normally produced either in
schizogenous or in cavities and are regarded
as the end products of metabolism.

5. Oleoresins
• Oleoresins are homogenous mixtures of resins
and volatile oils.
• These are, in fact, the vegetative secretions
obtained as natural products and composed of
resin dissolved in essential oils.

6. Distributed throughout the entire plantkingdom
Mostly –
Rarely–
Absent-
dees()stnalp
)snref(
(sea-weeds,fungi)
• Resins are the overall net results of metabolism
in higher plants.
Important Resin-Containing families are :-
(colophony/rosin
(tolu balsum)
(garijari)
(myrrh)
(asafoetida)

7. Occurrence in Plants
• In the plants resins usually occur in different secretory
zones or structures.
• (i) Resin Cells : Ginger–Zingiber officinale (Family:
Zingiberaceae);
• (ii) Schizogenous Ducts : Pine Wood–Pinus polustris
(Family: Pinaceae).
• (iii) Glandular Hairs : Cannabis–Cannabis sativa
(Family: Moraceae)

9. • The formation of resins in the plant is by virtue of its
normal physiological functions. However, its yield may
be enhanced in certain exceptional instances by
inflicting injury to the living plant,
• for instance: Pinus.
• Many resisnous products are not formed by the plant
itself unless and until purposeful and methodical
injuries in the shape of incisions are made on them and
the secretion or plant exudates are tapped carefully,
• such as: Balsam of Talu and Benzoin.

10.  In other words, these resins are of
pathological origin.
One school of thought has categorically termed
the secretion exclusively obtained from the
naturally occurring secretory structure as the
Primary Flow,
whereas the one collected through man-made-
incisions on the plant i.e., abnormally formed
secretary structures,as the Secondary Flow.

11. Physical Properties of Resins
The various physical properties of resins can be generalized as
detailed below:
• 1. Resins are hard, transparent or translucent brittle
materials.
• 2. They are invariably heavier than water having the specific
gravity ranging from 0.9-1.25.
• 3. Resins are more or less amorphous materials but rarely
crystallisable in nature.
• 4. On being heated at a relatively low temperature resins first
get softened and ultimately melt down thereby forming
either an adhesive or a sticky massive fluid.

12. • 5. On being heated in the air i.e., in the presence of oxygen, resins
usually burn readily with a smoky flame by virtue of the presence of
a large number of C-atoms in their structure.
• 6. On being heated in a closed container i.e., in the absence of
oxygen, they undergo decomposition and very often give rise to
empyreumatic products i.e., products chiefly comprising of
hydrocarbons.
• 7. Resins are bad conductors of electricity
• 8. They are practically insoluble in water, but frequently soluble in
ethanol, volatile oils, fixed oils, chloral hydrate and non-polar
organic solvents e.g., benzene, n-hexane and petroleum ether

13. Chemical Properties of Resins
• 1. Resins, in general, are enriched with carbon, deprived of
nitrogen and contain a few oxygen in their respective
molecules.
• 2. Majority of them undergo slow atmospheric oxidation.
• 3. Resins are found to be a mixture of numerous
compounds rather than a single pure chemical entity.
• 4. Their chemical properties are exclusively based upon the
functional groups present in these substances.

14. • 5. Consequently, the resins are broadly divided into resin
alcohols, resin acids, resin esters, glycosidal resins and
resenes (i.e., inert neutral compounds).
• 6. It is also believed that resins are nothing but oxidative
products of terpenes.
• 7. They may also be regarded as the end-products of
destructive metabolism.
• 8. The acidic resins when treated with alkaline solutions
they yield soaps (or resin-soaps).

15. By using
solvents
By distillation

16. By making
incisions
By heating the
plant part
containing resins

17. Preparation of Resins
• So far, no general method has either been
suggested or proposed for the preparation of
resins.
• In fact, there are two categories of resinous
products, namely:
• (a) Natural Resins;
• (b) Prepared Resins

18. A. Natural Resins
• These resins usually formed as the exudates from
various plants obtained either normally or as a result
of pathogenic conditions (i.e., by causing artificial
punctures).
• These are also obtained by causing deep incisions or
cuts in the trunk of the plant.
• They may also be procured by hammering and
scorching, such as: balsam of Peru.

19. B. Prepared Resins
The resins obtained are by different methods:
• (i) The crude drug containing resins is powdered and extracted
with ethanol several times till complete exhaustion takes place.
• The combined alcoholic extract is either, evaporated on a electric
water-bath slowly or poured slowly into cold distilled water.
• The precipitated resin is collected, washed with cold water and
dried carefully under shade or in a vacuum desiccator,
• Examples: Podophyllum; Scammony and Jalap.

20. • (ii) In the case of alco-resins, organic solvents
with lower boiling points are normally
employed e.g., solvent ether (bp 37°C);
acetone (bp 56.5°C), for their extraction.
• (iii) In the instance of gum-resins, the resin is
extracted with 95% (v/v) ethanol

21. Chemical Composition of Resins
The constituents of resins may be classified as
(i) Resin Acids
e.g Colophony and Copaiba
(ii) Resin Esters and their Decomposition Products
e.g Ammoniacum; Asafoetida; Benzoin; Balsam
of Peru and Tolu;
(iii) Resenes
e.g Bdellium; Dammar; Mastic; Myrrh;
Olibanum.

22. Classified under 2 majorcategories:
Resins
Taxonomical
Classification
Chemical
Classification

23. Taxonomical
Classification
Coniferous
Resin
e.g. Colophony,
Sandarac.
Berberidaceae
Resin
e.g.Podophyllum.
Zygophyllaceae
Resin
e.g.Guaiacum.

24. Chemical
Classification
Resin acids
Resin phenols
Glucoresins
Resenes
Resin esters
Resin alcohols

25. S.No Resins Examples
1. Chemical Groups
i) Resin acids Colophony ,Myrrh ,Sandrac,
Guaiacum
ii) Resin esters Benzoin ,Dragon’s blood
iii) Resin alcohols Storax ,Benzoin
iv) Resin phenols Balsam of tolu ,balsam of
peru
v) Glucoresins Jalap
vi)
vii)
Resenes
Mixed composition
Asafoetida
Shellac

26. S.No
.
Resins Examples
2. Resins with
Gum/Essential oil
i)
Gum resins Ammonicum
,Gamboage
ii)
Oleoresin Turpentine ,Copaiba ,
Ginger ,Canada resin
iii)
Oleogum resin Myrrh ,Asafoetida ,
Olibanum
3. Balsams Tolu balsam ,Peru
balsam

27. IDENTIFICATION TEST
 3 types:
 Physical test
 Such as solubility, taste, odor and examination of
powder under the microscope
 Chemical test – for the identification of resins
 Acid value
 Saponification value
 Iodine value
 Specific chemical test – for specific
constituents such as Cinnamic acid, Benzoic
acid in Benzoin, Tolu balsam and Peru Balsam

28. CHEMICAL TESTS
IDENTIFICATION
TEST
REAGENTS
USED
POSITIVE
RESULT
COMPOUNDS
POSITIVE FOR
THE TEST
HCl TEST HCl Formation of pink
color
Presence of
resins
FeCl3 TEST Fecl3 Greenish blue
color
Presence of
resins
Combined
Umbelliferone
Test
(Specific test for
Asafoetida)
•HCl in
NH4OH
Nitric acid
Sulfuric acid
Washed with
water
Blue
fluorescence
Green color
Red color
Violet
Umbelliferone
Copper
Acetate test
Petroleum ether Emerald green Abietic acid

29. CHEMICAL TESTS
IDENTIFICATION
TEST
REAGENTS
USED
POSITIVE
RESULT
COMPOUNDS
POSITIVE FOR
THE TEST
Test for
Aspidium
(Oleoresin)
Diluted alcohol
sol’n + FeCl3
GREEN color Filmarone,
flavaspidinol,
flavaspidic acid
Test for Myrrh
(Oleo-gum-
resin)
Ether + HNO3
Br2 vapor
PURPLISH
VIOLET
VIOLET
Commiphoric acid
Test for Benzoin
(Balsam)
Sumatra benzoin:
KMnO4
Petroleum ether
solution + H2SO4
 faint odor of
Benzaldehyde
 REDDISH
BROWN color
Cinnamic acid

30. CHEMICAL TESTS
IDENTIFICATION
TEST
REAGENTS
USED
POSITIVE
RESULT
COMPOUNDS
POSITIVE FOR
THE TEST
Test for
Balsam of Tolu
FeCl3
KMnO4
 GREEN color
 Odor of
Benzaldehyde
Cinnamic and
benzoic acids
(resinotannol)
Cinnamic acid

31. PHARMACEUTICAL
APPLICATIONS
 Resins are local irritant and hence act as
local cathartics (e.g. Jalap and Ipomea)
 As anti cancer (Podophyllum)
 In bronchial asthma (e.g. Cannabis)
 Used externally as mild antiseptic in the
form of tinctures (Benzoin), ointment and
plasters (Turpentine and Colophony)
 Used in the preparation of emulsion
and sustained released formulations

32. Colophony
Podophyllum
Cannabis
Turpentine
Myrrh
Asafoetida
Ipomea
Jalap
Balsam of peru
Balsam of tolu
Storax
Benzoin

33. Synonym:- Rosin, Yellow resin,
Amber resin.
Biological source:-
Useful part:trunk
Scientific name
Family - Pinaceae
Geographical source:-
Found in U.S, France, Italy,
Spain, India, Pakistan.

34. Cultivation & collection:-
The plant is injuried by making a long groove
in the bark.
A metal / earthen ware cup is attached
below the groove to collect the exudate.
The resin is collected at different intervals &
sent for processing.

35. Structure:-
Macroscopy:
color - pale yellow - yellowish brown
odour - faint
taste - turpentine
solubility – insoluble in water,
soluble in alcohol, CS2.
Chemicalconstituents:-
Contains resin acid 90%(isomeric α, β,
γ-abietic acid; 10% mixture of dihydoabietic
acid,dehydroabietic acid)
volatile oils 0.5%
resenes 5-6%

36. Uses
:-• used as stimulant,diuretic.
• Used in manufacture of varnishes,
soap, plastics, fire wood.
•For the preparation of zinc oxide plasters,
ointments and other adhesive plasters.
•It is widely used in the manufacture of printing
inks, rubber, dark varnishes, sealing wax.

37. Synonym:- Indian podophyllum,
Himalayan may-apple.
Biological source:-
Useful part: dried rhizomes and roots
Scientific name:
Family: Berberidaceae
Geographicalsource:-
Found in forests of Himalayas from Kashmir
to Sikkim.

38. Cultivation & collection:-
Rhizomes & roots are obtained from wild grown
plants
Rhizomes remain dormant in winter & produce
aerial shoots in april – may
Shoots flower in summer and die in november
Rhizomes and roots are dug up in spring/
autumn
Washed, cleaned & dried in sun

39. Structure:-
Macroscopy:
Color -yellowish brown
Odour - characteristic
Taste - bitter
Chemicalconstituents:-
Contains 7-15% resin (podophyllin)
it also contains α-peltatin (10%)
and β-peltatin (5%).

40. Uses:-
•Used as purgative and bitter tonic.
•Podophyllotoxin possesses anti-tumour
properties and may be used in the
treatment of cancer.
Marketed product:-

41. Synonym:- Indian hemp, Indian cannabis,
Hashish, Bhang, Ganja, Charas, Marijuana.

42. Biological source:
Useful part –Dried flowering tops
Scientific name -Cannabis sativa
Family –Cannabinaceae.
Geographical source:It is indigenous to
India.also occurs in Bangladesh , Pakistan , Iran
U.S , Africa.

43. Cultivation & Collection:-annualherb.
- cultivated as kharif crop
Soil:sandy soil
pH:5.9 - 6.5
Irrigation: moderate supply of wter
Climate:humid
 The cultivation of cannabis is undertaken only
under licence from the government ,since it is a
narcotic drug.

44. Cultivation & Collection…..
Seeds are sown on raised beds.
After 1 month the seedlings are transplanted into
open field.
Matured male plants are taken & shaken over female
plants to facilitate pollination
Flowering tops are collected , made into bundles &
treated under foot to form flat masses.
Flat masses are dried

45. Cultivation of cannabis…

46. Structure:-
Macroscopy:
color-dull green
odour-strong &
narcotic
taste- pungent
Chemicalconstituents:-
comprises 15-20% resins
active constituents
include –cannabinol , cannabidiol,
cannabidiolic acid, cannabichromene &
cannabigerol.

47. Uses:-
•It is a narcotic, sedative & analgesic.
• It has psychotropic properties &
used as a drug in a very little
amounts.
• It causes euphoria and later mental
disturbances.
Marketed products:-

48. Turpentine
• Synonym: Gum turpentine
• Biological Source: Turpentine is the oleoresin obtained
from pinus palustris and from other species of Pinus,
• Preparation
Turpentine is usually collected from the slash pine i.e.,
Pinus elliottii and Pinus palustris, which grow in abundance
in the Northern Florida, Georgia,and North and South
Carolina.

49. Characteristic Features
• Color: yellowish, opaque,
• State: sticky mass
• Odour and taste: Characteristic
Solubility:
It is almost insoluble in water, but soluble
in ether, ethanol, chloroform and glacial acetic
acid.

50. Chemical Constituents
• In steam-distillation yields 15 to 30% of a
volatile oil known in the trade as “turpentine
oil”.
• It contains mainly the terpenes, such as:
dextro- and laevo-α-pinene, β-pinene and
camphene.

51. Uses
• As a counterirritant.
• rubefacient.
• As a constituent of stimulating ointments.
• Industrially as an insecticide.
• As a solvent for waxes.
• In the production of synthetic camphor.
• In making various types of polishes

52. .
Synonym:- Gum-resin Myrrh ,Bol ,Myrrha.
Biological source:-
Useful part-from stem
B.Name: Commiphora momol
Family-Burseraceae
Geographical Source:
It is found in Arabian Peninsula,Africa.

53. Cultivation & Collection:-
When incisions are made in bark of tree ,they
exudate yellowish – coloured resin
It gradually hardens & becomes dark /reddish
brown .
This is collected in goat skins & sent to market

54. Structure:-
Macroscopy:
Color-reddish brown
Odour- aromatic
Shape- round/irregular

55. Chemicalconstituents:-
contains volatile oils – 10%
gum – 60%
resin – 25 -40%
•A mixture of α-, β-, and γ-commiphoric acids
(resin acids).
• It also contains phenolic compound such as:
pyrocatechin and protocatechuic acid.
Uses:-
Stimulant & antiseptic, carminative.

56. Synonym:-Gum Asafoetida ,
Devil’s dung.
Biological source:- Useful
part –rhizome
Scientific name –Ferula foetida Regel
Family –Umbelliferae
Geographical source:-Grown in Iran , & Afghanistan.

57. Cultivation & Collection:-
Perennial plant
From March-April ,just before the flowering season of
plant , upper part of the roots , close to the crown is cut off.
Milky juice oozes out from the cut surface & coagulates
After few days the coagulated matter is scraped off
& fresh cuts are given for more exudates.
This process repeates until the plant ceases to produce
latex.

58. Structure:-
Macroscopy:
color-yellowih white
– reddish brown
Taste- bitter
Shape-2 forms tears(round / flat

59. Commercial Asafoetida

60. Chemicalconstituents:-
contain resins (40 -65%)
gum(20 -25%)
volatile oil (4- 20%)
Uses:-
Carminative ,nervous stimulant , intestinal
flatulence ,laxative ,anti spasmodic
Flavouring agent
•It also contains umbellic acid and umbelliferone;
•The resin consists of notannol, resinotannol

61. Synonym:- Orizaba jalap roots,
ipomoea root.
Biological source:-
Useful part –dried tuberous roots
Scientific name –
Family – convolvulaceae
Geographicalsource:-
Found in Mexico,
Andes mountain.

62. Structure:-
Macroscopic:
Colour - greyish brown
Odour - slight
Taste
Shape
- Faintly acrid
transverse/longitudinal

63. Chemical constituents:-
Contains resin10-20%(90% alcohol)
jalapin (ipuranol, ipurganol)
Uses:-
It is a strong cathartic.

64. Synonym:- Mexican jalap, Jalap
radix.
Biological source:-
Useful part –dried tuberous root
Scientific name –
Family – Convolvulaceae
Geographical source:-
Found in Jamica,
South africa, India.

65. Cultivation & Collection:
Perennial climbing twinner
adventitious root
Roots of this plant store reserve food material
in roots & converts into tubercules.
These tubercules are digged & dried.

66. Structure:
Macroscopy:
Colour - dark brown
Odour - smokey
Taste - sweetish
resins ,volatile oils , starch ,gum ,
sugar – (8-18%) jalapin -10%
convolunin
rhamnoconvolvulic acid-74%
tiglic acid – 9%
exogonic acid – 7%)
Chemicalconstituents:-
Uses:-
Powerful catharatic

67. Synonym:- India blackbalsam,
China oil.
Biological source:-
Useful part – incisions( stem)
Scientific name –
Family – Papilionaceae
Geographicalsource:-
Columbia , Central America ,
Venezula.

68. Cultivation & Collection:-
This is a pathological resin
10 yr old plant is beaten on 4 sides
Cracked bark is scorched to separate it from trunk
In 1 week bark is dropped & balsam begins to flow from exposed
wood
Injured part is covered with cloths/rags , in which resin is
absorbed
These cloths are boiled with water to obtain the
saturated resins
On cooling the water balsam settles at the bottom which is
removed , strained & packed in tin cans

69. Structure:-
Macroscopy
Colour- dark brown-
reddish brown
Odour- aromatic vanilla
Taste- bitter
Solubility-
Insoluble in water
Soluble in alcohol ,
glacial acetic acid .

70. Chemicalconstituents:-
Contains
balsamic esters –(45- 70%)
( cinnamein -50-60%
styracin , resin -28%)
Uses:-
• Used in topical preparations for scabies,
treatment of wounds , ulcers & bed sores.
• Also used in cosmetic preparations.
•As flavouring agent.

71. Synonym:- Thomas balsam,
Opo balsam, Resin tolu
Biological source:-
Useful part –from stem
Scientific name –
Family – Leguminosae
Linn
Geographicalsource:-
Found in Colombia, West indies, Cuba, Peru.

72. Cultivation & Collection:
Pathological resin & formed in the trunk of tissues as a
result of injuries
Collected all over the year except the period of
heavy rains
V –shaped incisions are made in bark & sap wood
Calabash cups are placed to receive the flow of
balsam
Collected balsam is transferred into larger tin
containers & exporated.

73. Structure:-
Macroscopic:
Colour- yellowish/
brownish
Odour- aromatic
Taste- aromatic
Chemicalconstituents:-
Contains free cinnamic acid 12-16%
free benzoic acid 8%
oily liquid 7.6%
Uses:
Used as expectorant, antiseptic &
flavouring agent.

74. Synonym:- Sumatra benzoin , Loban
Biological source:-
Useful part –Trunk
Scientific name
Sumatra benzoin
Siambenzoin
Family – Styraceae

75. Geographicalsource:-
Sumatra benzoin- Found in South
Eastern Asia.
Siam benzoin- Found in Thailand,
Vietnam.

76. Cultivation & collection:-
It is a pathological resin, collected from wild/cultivated
trees(6 yrs old)
Incisions are made near the base of tree
Initially amorphous & yellow resinous substances is
oozed out – not used in medicine
The Next flow which oozes out is collected & used
in medicine
Solidified & dried.

77. Structure:-
Macroscopic:
Sumatra benzoin
Colour – greyish- brown
Odour – aromatic
Taste – sweetish
Siam benzoin
Colour – yellowish-brown
Odour – vanilla
Taste - sweetish

78. Chemicalconstituents:-
Sumatra Benzoin –
contains
free balsamic acids (benzoic&
cinnamic acid
summaresinolic & siaresinolic acids
Siam Benzoin –
contains ester coniferyl benzoate76%))
 Siam benzoin differ from Sumatra, contains
sufficient cinnamic acid to give an odour of
benzaldehyde.

79. Uses:-
Used as carminative , diuretic.
Marketed product:-

80.  Pharmacognosy by-- Kokate
Purohit, Ghokule—
45th edition
(pg no:392 – 429)
 Pharmacognosy by—Shah &
Seth
2nd edition
(pg no:341 – 363)
 Pharmacognosy by—Vinod
.D. Rangari. Volume – I
( pg no :395 – 399)
 www.google.com