JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B. Pharmacy III HERBAL DRUG TECHNOLOGY Previous Question Paper (November/December - 2020 - R17)

The quality and efficacy of herbal drugs depend heavily on the standardization of raw materials. The process involves three critical stages: selection, identification, and processing.

1. Selection of Herbal Raw Material: Selection begins with the choice of the correct botanical source. Factors influencing selection include:

• Botanical Identity: Ensuring the plant species, variety, and chemotype are correct.
• Geographical Source: Soil composition, altitude, and climatic conditions significantly affect the concentration of active constituents.
• Harvesting Time: Plant parts must be collected at the stage of maturity when the active principle is at its peak (e.g., roots in autumn, flowers before full bloom).
• Method of Collection: Avoiding contamination with soil, pesticides, or heavy metals during harvesting.

2. Identification of Herbal Raw Material: Authentication is essential to prevent adulteration. This is achieved through:

• Organoleptic Evaluation: Assessing sensory characteristics like color, odor, taste, and texture.
• Microscopic Evaluation: Examining transverse sections or powdered material for diagnostic features like stomatal index, trichomes, and calcium oxalate crystals.
• Physicochemical Evaluation: Determining parameters such as ash values, extractive values, moisture content, and foreign organic matter.
• Chromatographic Fingerprinting: Utilizing TLC, HPTLC, or HPLC to identify specific marker compounds and ensure consistency.

3. Processing of Herbal Raw Material: Post-harvest processing is vital to prevent degradation. The steps include:

• Cleaning: Removing soil, stones, and extraneous plant parts through washing or mechanical separation.
• Drying: Reducing moisture content to prevent microbial growth and enzymatic degradation. Methods include sun drying, shade drying, or controlled mechanical drying (tray or vacuum drying) to preserve thermolabile constituents.
• Size Reduction: Milling or grinding the material to increase surface area for efficient extraction.
• Stabilization: Techniques like blanching or steaming may be used to inactivate enzymes that could degrade active constituents.
• Packaging and Storage: Storing the processed material in airtight, moisture-proof containers in a cool, dark, and dry environment to maintain stability and prevent infestation.