Shark liver oil is obtained from the livers of various shark species. It is a pale yellow to brown-yellow oil with a fishy odor and bland or fishy taste. Shark liver oil is a rich source of Vitamin A, containing not less than 6000 IU per 1 gram. It is extracted from minced shark livers through boiling, dehydration, and separation processes. Shark liver oil is used to treat Vitamin A deficiency and is included in burn and sunburn ointments. It must be stored protected from light in well-closed containers.

1. Vitamins

2. Shark liver oil
• B. S.: it is the fixed oil
obtained from the fresh and
carefully preserved livers of
various species of the shark,
mainly Hypoprion
brevirostris and Galeorhinus
zyopterus.
• In India Scoliodon,
Carcharias and Sphyrna are
main species.
• According to I.P 1gm of oil
should contain not less than
6000 IU of vitamin A.
• G. S.: India – Tamil nadu,
maharastra and kerala.
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3. • Method of preparation:
1. The livers are cleaned and minced.
2. The minced mass is taken to a boiling pot, where temp.
of 80°C is maintained.
3. The oil extracted is treated with dehydrating agent to
remove water .
4. The oil is then taken to the vacuum still for dehydration
and chilled to separate stearin.
5. Centrifuges are used to separate suspended materials in
oil.
6. The clear oil is manipulated to adjust the desired
strength of vit. A.
7. The oil is being sensitive to light and air – care is taken
to minimize the exposure.
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4. • Description:
Colour: pale yellow to brown-yellow
Odour: characteristic fishy
Taste: Bland or fishy
• Solubility:
oil is soluble in solvent ether, chloroform.
Insoluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.
• Standards:
Acid value: NMT 2
Iodine value: NLT 90
• Chemical constituents:
Vit. A, glycerides of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids,
squalene and omega-3-fatty acids.
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5. • Identification:
1. Dissolve 1gm shark liver oil in 1 ml chloroform and treat
with 0.5 ml sulphuric acid – It acquires light violet
colour changing to purple and finally to brown (due to
vitamin A).
2. Dissolve 1gm shark liver oil in 10 ml chloroform and
treat with saturated solution of antimony trichloride in
chloroform. Shake well – blue colour is developed (due
to vitamin A).
• Uses: deficiency of vit. A, as a nutritive, shark liver oil
emulsion, burn and sunburn ointment.
• Storage: preserved in well-filled and well-closed
containers protected from light.
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6. Amla
• Synonyms: Embelica,
Indian goose berry,
Embelic myrobalan
• B.S.: it consists of dried as
well as fresh fruits of the
plant Embelica officinalis
(Phyllanthus embelica)
• Family: Euphorbiaceae

7. Macroscopic characters
• Colour: green changing to
light yellow or brick red
when matured
• Odour: none
• Taste: Sore & astringent
• Shape: Globose
• Fruits are 6 lobed with 6
trygonus seeds
• They are very hard and
smooth in appearance

8. Chemical constituents
• Rich source of vitamin C, 600-750 mg/hundred
gm of fresh pulp
• 0.5% fat, phyllembin, 5% tannin
• Also contain mineral matters like phosphorus,
iron, calcium
• Also contain pectin
• During drying, vitamin content is not lost, due
to presence of tannins, which retards
oxidation of vitamin C.

9. Uses
• As diuretic, laxative,
refrigerant (that relives
thirst and is cooling)
• Dried fruits are given in
diarrhoea and dysentery
• Also given in jaundice,
dyspepsia and anaemia
along with iron
compound
• Fruits are also used in
preparation of inks, hair
oils, shampoo

10. • Fixed oil from fruit possess the property of
promoting hair growth
• Seed used in asthma and bronchitis
• Alcoholic extract of fruit is antiviral
• Popular drug ingredient of triphala &
chyavanprash
• Leaves are used as fodder (animal food)