Learning Activity

10 (Group 6)
EXTRACTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF VOLATILE OILS FROM
TANGLAD LEAVES

Data:

Weight of sample-

Weight of empty amber bottle-

Weight of amber bottle + volatile oil-

Weight of volatile oil-

% of Volatile oil-

Calculations:

Identification Test for Volatile Oil

1.

Color, odor and taste of the Tanglad oil

ColorOdorTaste-

Solubility Test

Solvent used:

Water-

Alcohol-

Ether-

Chloroform-

Acetone-

Stain Test

Tanglad-

Refractive index of Tanglad Oil (Theoretical Value)- 1.48501.4936 at room temperature.

Specific gravity of Tanglad Oil (Theoretical Value)- 0.8725- 0.8965

at room temperature

Learning Evaluation
1.

Give the pharmaceutical uses of volatile oils in

general.

- Volatile oils are used in medicine as stimulants,

correctives, and carminatives, and for purposes of
flavoring.

2. Why should volatile oils be stored in a cool, dry

place and tightly stoppered, preferably full in amber
glass containers?
- To avoid heat and light, it is recommended that
volatile oils are to be in a cool dry place. Amber or
cobalt bottles are recommended over clear glass
bottle. Plastic bottles are never used since they are
corrosive and will only eat away the container.

3. What are the different methods of obtaining volatile

oils and in what type of plant samples are they
applicable?
Water

distillation- applied to plant material that is

dried and not subjected to injury by boiling.
Direct

steam distillation- applied to fresh plant drugs.

Glycosidic

volatile oils- obtained by hydrolysis of

glycosides.
Ecuelle

method- pucturing the oil glands.

Enfleurage-

use of flower petals.

4. Give the principles involved in the uses of the

Clevenger apparatus.
- A clavenger apparatus is a tool used for essential oil
extraction using steam. This technique uses temperature
to separate the aromatic oil from the organic source. This
apparatus conducts the distillation process by boiling,
condensing, and decantation to separate the oil. This is
also the official standard method for extracting essential
oils for quality control.

5. How will you determine the purity and quality of the

volatile oil obtained from the above procedure?
- Determining the Quality and Purity of oil is done by
measuring the refractive index by the use of
refractometer, measuring the specific gravity by the
use of densitometer. It is also done by gas
spectrometry and mass spectrometry

6. What is the purpose of adding anhydrous sodium

sulfate to the volatile oil? What causes the turbidity in
the oil?
- After extraction of volatile oil , you will have a mixture
of both oil and water. By adding anhydrous sodium
sulfate , the oil-water mixture will be separated because
the sodium sulfate will absorb the water and let the oil
pass. The water in oil causes the turbidity.

7. What happens if the contents of the flask is filled

rapidly during the distillation?
- At the beginning of the distillation, the distillation pot
should be between one-half full and two-thirds full. If
the pot is too full, the surface area is too small for rapid
evaporation and the distillation proceeds very slowly. If
the pot is not full enough, there will be a large holdup
volume and loss of sample. Holdup volume is the
amount of vapor in the flask and head along with the
liquid required to wet the inner walls of the apparatus

8. Give the medicinal uses of Tanglad oil.

-The

oil of the Tanglad is used as herbal medicine for

gastrointestinal problems stomachaches, diarrhea, bowel
spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches.
-Tanglad

has natural anti-microbial properties, is an

antiseptic, suitable for use on various types of skin infections,
usually as a wash or compress, and is especially effective on
ringworm, infected sores. Acne and athlete's foot
-Also,

it is useful with respiratory infections such as sore

throats, laryngitis and fever and helps prevent spreading of
infectious diseases.