JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B. Pharmacy IV Year QUALITY CONTROL AND STANDARDIZATION OF HERBALS Previous Question Paper (July - 2023 - R17)

Organoleptic evaluation is the qualitative assessment of herbal drugs based on sensory characteristics such as color, odor, taste, size, shape, and texture. This method serves as the initial step in the identification and authentication of crude drugs, providing a rapid, non-instrumental means to detect gross adulteration or deterioration by comparing the sample against established pharmacognostic standards.

Basic tests for crude drugs are essential for preliminary evaluation to ensure quality, purity, and safety before advanced analytical techniques are applied. These tests primarily focus on organoleptic, microscopic, and physical evaluation.

• Organoleptic evaluation: Involves the use of sensory organs to assess the drug's color, odor, taste, size, shape, and fracture characteristics. This provides a quick, initial identification of the specimen.
• Microscopic evaluation: Utilizes light microscopy to examine internal cellular structures, such as trichomes, stomata, starch grains, and calcium oxalate crystals. This is critical for detecting adulterants and confirming the botanical identity of powdered drugs.
• Physical evaluation: Includes quantitative measurements such as moisture content, ash values (total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash), and extractive values (alcohol-soluble or water-soluble). These tests help determine the presence of foreign organic matter, inorganic impurities, and the concentration of active constituents.