Page 332 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

The important natural oleo-resins are: Copaibae; Male Fern oleo-resins, Turpentine
and Canada Balsam. Oleo resins are obtained from plants mostly by incision.
Copaibae and Male Fern oleo-resins are official in the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia.

Copaiba

Syn. : Oleo-resina Copaibae; Balsamum Copaivoe; Copaiba Balsam

Copaiba is an oleo-resin obtained by incision from the trunks of Copaifera
Langsdorfu Desf., and other South American species of Copaifera (Fam.
Leguminosae, Caesalpinoideae). The trees are large trees indigenous to Brazil and
the north of South America.

Preparation
The oleo-resin is contained in anastomosing schizogenous secretion ducts that
form an extensive network in each zone of the secondary wood of both stem and
root, extending throughout the entire length of the zone. The oleo-resin is collected
by cutting in the trunk of the tree near the base a cavity sloping inwards and
downwards, and penetrating to the centre of the trunks resembling the “box” made
in the trunk of the turpentine trees. Into this cavity the oleo-resin is discharged; it is
transferred to barrels and other vessels for exportation. The drug is exported from
the towns Para, Maranham, Maracaibo, Bahia, cartagena, etc.

Description
Copaiba is a pale yellow or golden brown, more or less transparent viscous
liquid with occasional slight greenish fluorescence; odor, characteristic and
aromatic; taste, somewhat bitter, acrid and persistent.

Solubility
Copaiba is insoluble in water and is partially soluble in alcohol 60 %. It is
soluble in dehydrated alcohol, chloroform, ether, benzene, acetone, carbon disulfide,
acetic acid, and fixed and volatile oils. It is soluble in an equal volume of petroleum
ether, but a flocculent precipitate is formed on the addition of a further quantity of
the solvent.

Test for Identity
Specific gravity, 0.915-0.995; acid value calculated with reference to the
residue obtained by drying over a water-bath, 120-160; boiling range of the volatile
oil obtained by steam distillation or under reduced pressure, not be1ow 250 ºC;
optical rotation at 25 ºC of the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation or under
reduced pressure, -7º to -35º (c.f. African Copaiba).

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