Chemical test for Myrrh

Chemical test for Myrrh

Preliminary observations:

Size and shape: rounded or irregular tears or masses

Odour: agrreable and aromatic

Colour: Externally reddish brown, internally brownish

Taste: Aromatic, bitter and acrid

Extra feature: Breaks with a brittle fracture, with somewhat granular, translucent surface

Solubility: Insoluble in water, but soluble in chloroform and ether

Chemical test:

SI.No.	Test	Observation		Inference
1.	Triturate with water		Yellowish brown emulsion	Myrrh may be present
2.	Extract small portion of powdered drug with solvent ether, evaporate the extract in such a way that the residue is left as a resinous thin film, pass the vapors of bromine over the film produced .		A violet colour is produced	Myrrh may be present
3.	Dry etherial extract when treated with bromine vapours		Reddish colour obtained	Myrrh may be present