Page 65 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Innermost layer of the mesocarp: consists of large, polygonal, brown-walled cells, with
thick, porous inner walls.

3- Endocarp: composed of narrow tangentially elon¬gated cells, some of which are
in regular arrangements in variously oriented groups (parquet arrangement), adhering to
the brown seed coat.
II. The seed:

Endosperm consists of polygonal, thick-walled, cellulosic parenchyma containing fixed
oil and numerous small, oval aleurone grains, each enclosing a minute, rounded globoid
and a microrosette crystal of calcium oxalate.

Powdered Ammi visnaga:
It is brown and characterized by:
1- Fragments of epicarp cells with some crystals of Ca Ox.

2- Brownish pieces of vittae with radiating cells, lignified reticulate cells, vessels and
fibers.

3- Fragments with porous non-lignified thick-walled cells of the inner-most layer of
the mesocarp crossed by parquet endocarpal cells.

4- Numerous fragments of endosperm with aleurone grains 4-10 um in diameter,
containing microrosette crystals of calcium oxa¬late 2-5 um in diameter.

5- Other fragments show cells of the brown seed coat.
6- Hairs and starch grains absent.

General identity tests:
Macroscopic and microscopic examinations, micro-chemical tests, and thin-layer
chromatography for the presence of khellin and visnagin.

Purity tests:
Microbiological:
Tests for specific micro-organisms and microbial contamination limits.
Foreign organic matter: Not more than 2%.
Total ash: Not more than 8%.
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 3.5%.
Loss on drying: Not more than 10%.

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