These notes cover Phytochemical Investigation according to PCI ER20 syllabus for D.Pharm 1st Year.

These notes are useful for:

• D.Pharm semester exams
• Viva preparation
• Pharmacist exams

• Phytochemical Investigation
• Extraction Methods
• Phytochemical Screening
• Identification Tests
• Isolation of Phytoconstituents

Phytochemical investigation is the study of chemical constituents present in medicinal plants.

It includes extraction, isolation and identification of active constituents.

Very important for exams.

Phytochemical investigation is the study of chemical constituents present in medicinal plants.

It includes extraction, isolation, and identification of active constituents.

Phytochemical investigation helps in the discovery of new drugs.

It is an important part of Pharmacognosy.

Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemical substances present in plants.

They are responsible for the therapeutic activity of medicinal plants.

Examples:

• Alkaloids
• Glycosides
• Tannins
• Volatile oils
• Resins

Extraction is the process of separating active constituents from crude drugs.

Common extraction methods include:

• Maceration
• Infusion
• Decoction
• Solvent extraction
• Distillation

Crude drug is soaked in solvent for a specific period.

Solvent dissolves active constituents.

Drug is soaked in hot or cold water.

Used for soft plant materials.

Drug is boiled in water.

Used for hard plant materials like roots and bark.

Organic solvents are used to extract constituents.

Examples:

• Alcohol
• Ether
• Chloroform

Used for extraction of volatile oils.

Example:

• Clove oil
• Peppermint oil

Phytochemical screening is used to detect chemical constituents present in crude drugs.

It is a simple and economical method for identification of phytochemicals.

It helps detect alkaloids, glycosides and tannins.

Identification tests confirm the presence of phytoconstituents.

Examples:

• Alkaloid tests
• Glycoside tests
• Tannin tests
• Volatile oil tests

Isolation means separation of pure chemical constituents from crude drugs.

Methods include:

• Extraction
• Chromatography
• Crystallization

• Helps in drug discovery
• Helps in identification of drugs
• Helps in quality control
• Helps in research
• Helps in standardization of crude drugs

• Phytochemical investigation studies plant constituents.
• Extraction separates active constituents.
• Screening detects phytochemicals.
• Isolation gives pure compounds.
• Distillation extracts volatile oils.
• Chromatography is used for separation.

Click below to download Chapter 12 Notes PDF:

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 12 NOTES PDF

Use this preview to read notes online:

• Chapter 1 – Introduction to Pharmacognosy: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 2 – Classification of Crude Drugs: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 3 – Quality Control of Crude Drugs: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 4 – Phytoconstituents: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 5 – Medicinal Crude Drugs: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 6 – Surgical Dressings: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 7 – Traditional Systems: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 8 – Medicinal Plants Economy: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 9 – Herbs as Health Foods: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 10 – Herbal Formulations: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 11 – Herbal Cosmetics: https://a2gsmart.com/notes
• Chapter 12 – Phytochemical Investigation: https://a2gsmart.com/notes

https://a2gsmart.com/notes

Short questions on extraction methods and phytochemical screening are frequently asked in D.Pharm exams.

• Pharmacognosy Chapter 12 Notes
• Phytochemical Investigation Notes
• D Pharm Pharmacognosy ER20