PHARMACOGNOSY

1. GELATIN
Synonyms-: Gelatinum
Source-: Gelatin is a protein obtained by evaporating an aqueous
extract of skin, and bone of various domestic animals such as ox
and sheep.
Family-: Bovidae
Collection and Preparation-:
1- The first step is removal of fat. For this, skin is soaked in dilute milk of lime
for about 40 days. But bones are treated with organic solvents like
benzene.
2- The materials are then extracted with boiling water and steam under
pressure.
3- The resultant solution is filtered by electro-osmosis and concentrated
under reduce pressure.
4- It is then run in metal trays and allowed to from a jelly.
5- The jellies are dried on wire nettings at increasing temperatures (between
30 and 60o
C) for about a month.
Characters-:
1- The main constituent is gluten which is a protein. It is responsible for
adhesiveness.
2- Also a number of amino acids.

2. Identification test-:
1- White precipitate is produce when an aqueous solution of gelatin is treated
with 10 % Tannic acid solution.
2- Yellow precipitate is produce on mixing a solution of gelatin with picric acid
solution.
Uses-:
1- In the manufacture of capsule and suppositories. Also for coating pills and
tablets.
2- As a culture medium for growing micro-organisms.
3- As a substitute for blood plasma.