Page 337 - Applied Pharmacognosy

Problems of UTnypreegs uoflaCtheedmHicearlbmaal rDkreursgs
 DeteriorationofHerbalDrugs
Moisture Content

 Drugsstoredin non-airtightcontainers
aretermed air-dry andcontainabout 10-
12% of water dependingonthehumidity
oftheatmosphere.

 This amount of water is sufficient to

activatetheenzymes present in some
dried plant materials, such as digitalis
andbringaboutthedecompositionofthe

activeglycosides.

 Such drugs should therefore be stored

with a dehydratingagent or in sealed
containersimmediatelyafterdrying.

 e.g. Squill contains a hygroscopic
mucilage and the powdered squill, if
exposed to the atmosphere, will absorb
moistureandbecomeastickymass.