Page 126 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Solubility: Practically insoluble in common organic solvents; gelling grades swell in
cold water and give on heating a colloidal solution which on cooling forms a more
or less firm gel.

Constituents:
Protein called glutin, containing 19 amino acids but traces of essential amino acids
so it is considered as nutrient.

Test for identity:
1. Prepared solution in carbon dioxide-free water (Water that has been boiled

vigorously for a few minutes and protected from the atmosphere during cooling
and storage) add copper sulphate solution. Mix and add of dilute sodium
hydroxide solution. A violet color is produced.
2. Powder +soda lime yield ammonia odor.
3. Solution+millon’s reagent yield white ppt, which turns to brick red.
4. Solution +picric acid yield yellow ppt.
5. Solution +tannic acid yield white ppt.
6. Test for adulteration: solution+ mineral acids should get no ppt (no chondrin).

Uses:
Pharmacy:
Suppositories, tablets and hard gelatin capsules.
Suspending, stabilizing and thickening agent.
Microencapsulation.
Bacteriological culture medium.
Clinical uses:

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