Phyto Chemicals

TYPE OF WATER

These are several types of waters depending upon their Quality and Purpose of use. Only some types of waters and defined here for understanding the terminologies.

1. Drinking or Potable Water:

Means water that is intended for human consumption and may be sealed in a bottle or other containers with no added ingredients. Drinking water shall comply with the standard specified by Bureau of Indian Standard or WHO Drinking Water Standard. Or US potable Water Standard 40 CFR 141 or such other standards. Indian Pharmacopoeia has given 500 CFU/ml limit for Total Aerobic Microbial Count.

2. Purified Water (IP):

Water prepared by distillation, by means of ion exchange or by any other appropriate means from suitable potable water that complies all relevant statutory regulations. Purified water shall comply with standards given in Monographs of Official Books and Pharmacopoeia – (IP, BP, USP, NF, and EP Etc).10 CFU/ml Limit for microbial Population may be considered for Purified Water.

3. Water for Injection (IP):

It is apyrogenic distilled water intended for use in the preparation of medicines for parenteral administration. When water is used as a vehicle (water for injection in bulk) and for dissolving or diluting substances and preparation for injections.

WFI is obtained by distillation potable water or purified water from a neutral glass, quartz or suitable metal still with an effective device for preventing the entertainment of droplets. This still must be suitably maintained to ensure the production of apyrogenic water. The first portion of distillate is discarded and remainder is collected and stored in conditions designed to prevent the growth of micro-organism and to avoid any other contamination. It should comply with the standards given in the monograph of Official books and Pharmacopoeias.

4. Sterile Water for Injection (IP):

Sterile Water for Injection is water for injection distributed in suitable containers or glass of other material sealed and sterilized by heat under conditions that ensures that the water remains apyrogenic. Each container contains a sufficient amount of WFI to permit the withdrawal of the nominal volume. It should comply with the standards given in the monograph of Official books or Pharmacopoeias.

Recommended microbial limit is not more than 10 organisms per 100 ml and Pathogens should be absent.

STORAGE CONDITIONS AS PER IP Indian Pharmacopoeia,

DEFINITIONS OF STORAGE CONDITIONS AS PER IP 96;

Indian Pharmacopoeia 1996

1. COLD: Any temperature not exceeding 8°C and usually between 2°C to 8°C. A refrigerator is a cold place in which the temperature is maintained thermostatically between 2°C to 8°C.

2. COOL: Any temperature between 8°C and 25°C. An article, for which storage in a cool place is directed may alternately, be stored in a refrigerator unless otherwise specified in the individual monograph.

3. ROOM TEMPERATURE: The temperature prevailing in a working area.

4. WARM: Any temperature between 30°C and 40°C.

5. EXCESSIVE HEAT: Any temperature above 40°C.

6. LIGHT RESISTANT CONTAINERS: A light resistant container protect the content from the effect of actinic light by virtue of the specific properties of the material of which it is made.

7. WELL CLOSED CONTAINER: A well closed container products the contents from contamination by extraneous liquid and from loss of the article under normal condition of handling, shipment, storage and distribution.

8. TIGHTLY CLOSED CONTAINERS: A tightly closed container protects the contents from contamination by extraneous liquid and solids or Vapour from loss or deterioration of the article from effervescence, deliquescent or evaporation under normal condition of handling, shipment, storage and distribution

GRADES OF POWDERS

GRADES OF POWDERS:

Grades (Types) of powders are expressed on degree of Coarseness and Fineness of powder.

1) Coarse Powder: A Powder, all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 1,700 micron meter and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 355 micron meter.

2) Moderately Coarse Powder: A Powder, all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 710 micron meter and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 250 micron meter.

3) Moderately Fine Powder: A Powder, all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 355 micron meter and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 180 micron meter.

4) Fine Powder: A Powder, all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 180 micron meter and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 125 micron meter.

5) Very Fine Powder: A Powder, all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 125 micron meter and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 45 micron meter.

6) Micro Fine Powder: A Powder, of which not less than 90% by weight of the particles pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 45 micron meter.

7) Super Fine Powder: A Powder, of which not less than 90% by weight of the particles pass through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 10 micron meter.

CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

The cultivation technology of vegetable drugs involves convergence of various factors from agricultural and pharmaceutical sphere such as soil, climate, rain fall, irrigation, altitude, temperature, use of fertilizers and pesticides, genetic manipulation and biochemical aspects of natural drugs.

Cultivation ensures quality and purity of medicinal plants. It gives better yield and therapeutic effects. It ensures regular supply of drug. Cultivation increases industrialization and helps for unemployment problem.

Followings are the methods of cultivation:

1) Sexual Method (Seed Propagation): It this method plants are raised from seeds and such plants are called Seedlings.

Good Quality seeds of high germination rate should be used for cultivation. Seeds should be free from other seeds and impurities. Seeds should be checked for germination. Too old seeds should not be used for cultivation. Some chemical, Hormonal and special treatments should be given to seeds for healthy and accelerated growth of seedling.

2) Asexual Methods: Vegetative Part of plant, such as steam or root is placed in such an environment that develops into a new plant. Vigorous growth and new variety cannot be achieved from this method.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CULTIVATION:

There are several factors that affect the cultivation directly or indirectly.

1) Altitude, Temperature and Humidity.

2) Rainfall or Irrigation.

3) Soil and Soil Fertility.

Types of Soils:

Depending upon the size of mineral matter following names is given to the soil:

Particle Size (Diameter)/ Types of Soil

Less than 0.002 mm/ Fine Clay

0.002 To 0.02 mm/ Coarse Clay or Silt

0.02 To 0.2 mm/ Fine Sand

0.2 To 2.0 mm/ Coarse Sand

Depending upon the percentage covered by clay, soils are classified as given below:

Type of Soil/ % Covered

1. Clay/ More than 50% of Clay

2. Loamy/ 30 to 50% of Clay

3. Silt Loam/ 20 to 30% of Clay

4. Sandy Loam/ 10 to 20% of Clay

5. Sandy Soil/ More than 70% Sandy Soil

6. Calcareous Soil/ More than 20% of Lime.

1) Fertilisers.

2) Pest and Pest Control: Fungi, Viruses, Insects and Weeds. Non-insects like rats, monkeys, birds, rabbits and hares, squirrels, deer, pig etc.

METHODS OF PEST CONTROL:

1) Mechanical Method: Destruction of pest, manually with the help of different devices.

2) Agricultural methods.

3) Biological methods.

4) Chemical method: Rodentisides, Insecticides, Acaricides, Fungicides, Herbicide etc.

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS:

Plant growth regulators are organic compounds, other than nutrients which affects the morphological structure and or physiological process of plants in low concentration.

Following are the plant growth regulators:

1) Auxins.

2) Gibberellins.

3) Cytokinins.

4) Ethylene

5) Abscisic Acid (ABA)

Aloe vera

Aloe vera miracle:

A natural drug in cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation, IBS, and other health conditions.

• Halts the growth of cancer tumours.

• Lowers high cholesterol.

• Repairs "sludge blood" and reverses "sticky blood".

• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.

• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.

• Protects the body from oxidative stress.

• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.

• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.

• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive disorders.

• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.

• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycol-nutrients.

• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.

• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.

• Stops colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.

• Relieves constipation.

• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.

• Prevents and treats candida infections.

• Protects the kidneys from disease.

• Functions as nature's own "sports drink" for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.

• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.

• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.

• Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair.

Recipe:- cut the Aloe vera, peel off Aloe vera skin, rinse aloe vera jelly well with running water for few minutes, cut into small pieces, and directly eat it. or for better taste put in sweet drink for example, honey lemon drink, and drink it. OR put in freezer. When it almost being freeze. Eat it like snow ice.

Simple use:- peel and apply to wounds and sunburn areas. OR peel and scrape out jelly like substance and put in the Ice Cube tray, freeze. Put it in your drinking water for ice cold refreshment. You can add some honey or sugar if you want.