This document describes an experiment on the organoleptic and microscopic characterization of fennel fruit. The aims are to study the morphological features, transverse section, and powder characteristics of fennel fruit. The experiment involves examining the fennel fruit under a simple microscope using different staining reagents to observe histological details. Key outcomes include understanding the fennel fruit's morphological features and distinguishing authentic from substituted/adulterated drug based on microscopic and powder analysis.

1. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry –II Practical (BP508 P)
Institute of Pharmaceutical Research,
GLA University, Mathura
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
1

2. Experiment No. 2
Aim: a) To study the organoleptic characteristics of Fennel Fruit.
b) To study the transverse section and powder characteristics of Fennel fruit.
 Outcome:
1) Able to understand the morphological characters of Fennel fruit.
2) Able to know about the different histological features as well as powder
characteristics present in the Fennel fruit.
3) Able to distinguish between the authentic herbal drug and the
substituted/adulterated drug (based on the microscopic and powder study).
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
2

3. Materials required:
Simple microscope, compound microscope, watch glass (depending on the need), brush,
slides, coverslips, forcep, tissue paper.
Reagents required:
Chloral hydrate reagent, phloroglucinol reagent, concentrated hydrochloric acid, glycerine.
Crude drug required:
Fennel fruit, Fennel fruit powder
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
3

4.  Vernacular names:
Eng: Fennel fruit; San: Madhurika; Hin:Sauf; Beng: Ban mauri; Guj: Variyali; Kan: Bada soppa;
Marathi: Badishep; Tam: Sohikerovirai; Tel: Paddejilakurra.
 Biological source:
Dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Family: Umbellifereae. It should contain not less
than 1.4% of volatile oil.
 Geographical source:
Indigenous to Romania, Russia, Germany, France, India and Japan. In India, it is cultivated in
Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
4

5. Morphological characters:
 Condition: dried cremocarp • Colour: yellowish green to yellowish brown coloured •
Surface: glabrous • Shape: oval with bifid stylopod • Odour: aromatic • Taste: sweet,
aromatic and agreeable.
 Fruits are glabrous with straight, prominent, yellow coloured five primary ridges and bifid
stylopod at the top.
 T.S shows two commissural vittae and four dorsal vittae.
 The embryo is small embedded in upper end with abundant oily endosperm. Commisural
surfaces of the endosperm are not grooved.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
5

6. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
6

7.  Microscopical study
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
7

8. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
8

9. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
9

10. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
10

11. Guess the microscopical characters of fruit !!!!!!!
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
11

12.  Powder characteristics:
1. Mesocarp: lignified and reticulate nature of the parenchyma.
2. Endocarp: cells showing parquetry arrangements.
3. Endosperm: polyhedral, thick walled cells containing oil globules and
calcium oxalate crystals.
4. Vittae: yellowish brown fragments
5. Odour: sweet aroma
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
12

13. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
13

14.  Chemical constituents
3 to 7% Volatile oils; 20% proteins and fixed oil.
Major constituents: Anethole (phenolic ether) 50%, fenchone (ketone) 20%
Minor constituents: Phellandrene, methyl chavicol, limonene anisic acid,
anisic aldehyde
Adulterants: Exhausted fennel
Fenchone Anethole
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
14

15. Substituents:
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
15

16. Uses:
 Carminative
 Aromatic
 Stimulant
 Expectorant
 Flavouring agent
 Spices and condiments
 Anethole is used as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. Fennel is used as
carminatives. Fennel contains Vitamin C which is used as anti-oxidant.
Coumarin shows anti-coaggulant effect. Fennel has bronchodilatory effect.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
16

17. Clearing technique for Whole, Sectioned and Powdered Material
Chloral Hydrate Solution- (Chloral Hydrate in water, 5:2w/w).
Method:
1. Place the specimen (or section or powder) on a slide, add a few drops of chloral hydrate solution and
place a coverslip on the slide.
2. Using an electrical hotplate, warm the slide until bubbles appear; remove from the heat and when the
bubbles subside, gently re-heat and repeat the process.
3. Add further chloral hydrate solution to the edge of the coverslip as necessary; do not allow to boil dry.
4. After a few minutes of this procedure (or when the specimen appears to be transparent), ensure that
no air bubbles remain under the coverslip, and draw a drop of glycerol solution under the coverslip
using a piece of blotting paper at the opposite edge
Note: Chloral hydrate solution is CORROSIVE and IRRITANT TO THE EYES; CARE is
required in use. Wear SAFETY GLASSES.
Chloral hydrae solution is used for examination of sectioned plant specimen, the study of plant surface
and powdered material.
It clears colouring matter, starch and other contents from plant cell; it restores the natural cellular shape
to dried plant specimens.
The solution does not dissolve calcium oxalate and is therefore ideal for the detection of these crystals.
The solution must not be allowed to contaminate objective lenses or the microscope stage. The addition
of glycerol solution after clearing is to prevent the crystallization of chloral hydrate.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
17

18. Lignin
Method :1. Add 1 or 2 drops of phloroglucinol solution (1% in alcohol) to the section or powder
and allow to dry. 2. Add 1 or 2 drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid and cover with the
coverslip. Lignified cell walls stain red.
This reagent is CORROSIVE and care must be taken in use. Do not allow acid to come into
contact with the microscope stage or lenses.
Starch.
Method: 1. Add 2 or 3 drops of iodine solution (0.01M) to the preparation, followed by a drop of
glycerol solution. Attach a coverslip and examine for blue-black stain. Note that in powdered
drugs, starch may be present both within cells and free.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
18

19. References
 Kokate CK, Purohit AP, Gokhlae SB.Text book of Pharmacognosy. 32nd ed. New
Delhi: Nirali Prakashan. 2005.
 Kokate CK. Practical Pharmacognosy. New Delhi: Vallabh Prakashan.2005.
 Iyengar MA. Pharmacognosy of powdered crude drugs.5th ed. Manipal: Manipal
Power Press. 1997.
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
19

20. What content to be mentioned in the practical record !!!!!
 A) Morphology of fruit
Name : Condition : Shape : Size : Color :
Odour : Taste : (Diagram)
Observation data
 B) Microscopy study
Mount in: 1. Choral hydrate: 2. Phloroglucinol + con. HCl
T.S diagram along with descriptive content.
Tabular content reflect the chemical reagents used to
observe the different parts of fruit.
Result
 Powder study of fruit
Physical Properties: Color: Touch: Condition: Odour:
Taste:
Mount in: 1. Choral hydrate: 2. Phloroglucinol + con HCl
Diagram of different parts .
Result
NOTE:
Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
20

21. Sonia Singh, Assistant Professor, IPR, GLA University, Mathura
21