calling_from_india
Argemone_mexicana_plant
Introduction
Argemone mexicana grows abundantly all over the India mainly during the months of March to May. Its seeds are blackish brown, round and netted. These seeds apparently have close resemblance with mustard seeds. Due to this reason, mustard seeds are often adulterated with Argemone mexicana seeds either accidentally or intentionally.
The oil of Argemone mexicana seeds is pale yellow in colour and is almost tasteless. It has a specific gravity of 0.920 and remains clear at -8ºC. It contains toxic alkaloids namely Sanguinarine and Dihydro-sangunarine.1
Argemone mexicana is used as a medicinal plant in several countries. Its yellow juice is used in the treatment of Jaundice, cutaneous infections, eye diseases etc. In Nigeria, it is used as a stimulant. In Mexico, the seeds are considered as an antidote to snake venom. In India, the smoke of the seeds is used to relieve toothache.2
Argemone mexicana seeds are often mixed as an adulterant with mustard seeds, while extracting oil for edible purposes. Such oils are tremendous health hazard. When consumed, argemone oil produces a condition similar to epidemic dropsy. Several workers have described various instrumental methods for the detection of Argemone oil in the adulterated mustard oil3,4 but colour tests and thin layer chromatography are the methods of choice, these being simple, sensitive, reliable and economic. Keeping these significant aspects in view, an attempt has been made in the present study to check to the sensitivity of the conventional colour tests and to develop a new TLC method to sort out this problem.
Materials and Methods
Seeds of both Argemone mexicana and Brassica compestris (mustard) were observed visually and then under light microscope to study their morphology.
Figure 2: Seeds of Brassica campestris (mustard) when observed under magnifying lens (Click to enlarge)
Argemone oil was expelled from the seeds of Argemone mexicana in HPLC grade methanol with the help of pestle and mortar. The extract was then filtered through whatmann filter paper no. 1 and collected in a beaker. The beaker was then heated over a water bath for some time to evaporate excess of methanol, so that pure argemone oil was left behind. Same method was used for the extraction of mustard oil from mustard seeds. Argemone oil and mustard oil were mixed in different ratios (vol./vol.) to make adulterated samples of mustard oil. The sensitivity of the following conventional colour tests has been checked with the help of these adulterated samples (as mentioned above).
Colour tests
The following colour tests were performed for the detection of argemone oil in adulterated mustard oil.
1. Nitric acid test
Took 5 ml. of adulterated mustard oil in a test tube. To this, we added 5 ml of concentrated nitric acid and the test tube was shaken. Orange yellow colour was developed in the acid layer confirming the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
2. Cupric acid test
Took 5 ml. of adulterated oil in a test tube. To this 1 ml. glacial acetic acid and 2 mg. of cupric acetate solution were added. Green colour confirmed the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
3. Ferric chloride test
Figure 3: Seeds of Argemone mexicana when observed under magnifying lens (Click to enlarge)
Took 5 ml. of adulterated oil sample in a test tube. To this were added 2 ml. of concentrated HCl ml. of rectified spirit. It was shaken for one minute. The tube was then kept gently in a boiling water bath for 2 minutes. The acid and oil layers were separated clearly. Held the test tube in a slanting position and slowly added 1ml. of the Ferric chloride reagent allowing it to just tickle down the side of the tube. Mixed the solution by rolling the test tube gently between the palms. Placed the tube in the same water bath for 12 minutes. Then the test tube was examined. Reddish brown, needle shaped crystalline precipitate were obtained which confirmed the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
Thin layer chromatography
Extraction of standard sanguinarine sample
Standard sanguinarine sample was extracted from the argemone oil by using the method reported by Shenolikar et al. in 19775.
Method
Silica gel-G coated plates were taken and activated at 110ºC for 30 minutes prior to spotting of the sample. Then using capillary tube spots of standard Sanguinarine alkaloid, adulterated mustard oil, pure argemone oil and pure mustard oil were spotted on the TLC plates. Then the plates were developed in ascending way in TLC chamber with 30 minutes prior saturation. The plates were run upto 10 cm. distance. 20 different solvent systems were used. After the completion of solvent run the plates removed and air dried.
Visualization of spots
The developed plates were visualized in ultra violet light. The spot of sanguinarine appeared as bright golden yellow fluorescent spot. The spots were also visualized with the help of iodine fuming.
Results and Discussion
The examination of mustard seeds and argemone seeds under low power of the microscope revealed that the mustard seeds were round, smooth and brown in colour whereas the Argemone mexicana seeds were darker in colour and had a netted appearance.
Figure 4: Visualization of spots with iodine fuming. 1. Pure Argemone oil sample 2. Pure Mustard oil sample 3. Adulterated sample 4. Standard Sanguinarine sample (Click to enlarge)
The results of the colour tests are given in table no. 1 and 2 (Please click here to download tables). It is evident from the table no. 2 that the intensity of the colour decreases with the decrease in concentration of the Argemone oil in the adulterated mustard oil and it has also been found that colour is not produced when the concentration of Argemone oil is 1% or less in the sample. Results of the thin layer chromatography are shown in table no. 3. The diagram showing a developed TLC plate run with standard sanguinarine sample, pure argemone oil, adulterated mustard oil sample and pure mustard oil sample can be downloaded by clicking here.
Thin layer chromatography was found to be the most suitable method for separation and identification of argemone alkaloid in adulterated mustard oil. The solvent system comprising of n-Butanol : Acetone : Ethanol : H2O (60 : 20 : 20 : 15) was found to be the best solvent system which results in the separation of the three spots (more or less heart shaped) at hRf values 85, 30 and 15 with pure argemone oil, 2 spots with adulterated mustard sample at hRf values 85 and 30, one spot with standard sanguinarine sample at hRf value 85 and no spot with pure mustard oil at temperature ranging from 34ºC to 38ºC. The one spot at hRf value 85 gave a bright Golden yellow fluorescence under long ultra violet light and a brown colored heart shaped spot, when fumed with the iodine. This spot is of alkaloid Sanguinarine is of same colour and it is at the same hRf value at which standard Sanguinarine sample produced the spot.
Figure 5: Visualization of spots under UV light 1. Pure Argemone oil sample 2. Standard Sanguinarine sample 3. Adulterated sample 4. Pure mustard oil sample (Click to enlarge)
Shenolikar et al., 19816 reported a TLC method with solvent system n-Butanol, acetic acid and water (60 : 15 : 25) which is very slow, takes more than two hours to complete.
Thus, this new Thin Layer Chromatography solvent system comprising of n-Butanol : Acetone : Ethanol : H2O (60 : 20 : 20 : 15) has been found to be the best system for the separation of the toxic alkaloid sanguinarine and its identification, that too, in a very quick time i.e. time of running of solvent is only 55 minutes.
It is expected that above findings made in the present study will be of immense value to the forensic scientists working in this field.
References
1. Asolkar, L.V., Kakkar, K.K. and Chakre, O.J. (1992) : Glossary of India Medicinal plants with active principles Part - I (A-K) (1965-1981). Publications & Information Directorate (CSIR), New Delhi.
2. Kirtikar, K.R., Basu, B.D. and an I.C.S. (retired) (1993) : Indian Medicinal plants (Vol. - I). Periodical experts book agency, Delhi.
3. Murthi, T.N. Sharma, M. and Devdhara, V.D. (1988) : High performance liquid chromatographic determination of argemone oil in edible oil. J. Fd. Sci. Technol. Vol.-25, No. 3, 170-172.
4. Pundlik, M.D., and Meghal, S.K. (1977) : Spectrophotometric identification and estimation of argemone oil. Res. Ind. 22, 182. (c.f. Murthi et al., 1988).
5. Shenolikar, I.S. (1976) : Removal of Sanguinarine from edible oils, contaminated with argemone oil. Indian Journal Med. Res. 64, 8.
6. Shenolikar, I.S., Babu, S., Thapar, G.S. and Ramasastri, B.V. (1981) : Quantitative determination of argemone oil in edible oils by thin layer chromatography. Indian J. Med. Res. 73, 204-207.
Argemone_mexicana_plant
Introduction
Argemone mexicana grows abundantly all over the India mainly during the months of March to May. Its seeds are blackish brown, round and netted. These seeds apparently have close resemblance with mustard seeds. Due to this reason, mustard seeds are often adulterated with Argemone mexicana seeds either accidentally or intentionally.
The oil of Argemone mexicana seeds is pale yellow in colour and is almost tasteless. It has a specific gravity of 0.920 and remains clear at -8ºC. It contains toxic alkaloids namely Sanguinarine and Dihydro-sangunarine.1
Argemone mexicana is used as a medicinal plant in several countries. Its yellow juice is used in the treatment of Jaundice, cutaneous infections, eye diseases etc. In Nigeria, it is used as a stimulant. In Mexico, the seeds are considered as an antidote to snake venom. In India, the smoke of the seeds is used to relieve toothache.2
Argemone mexicana seeds are often mixed as an adulterant with mustard seeds, while extracting oil for edible purposes. Such oils are tremendous health hazard. When consumed, argemone oil produces a condition similar to epidemic dropsy. Several workers have described various instrumental methods for the detection of Argemone oil in the adulterated mustard oil3,4 but colour tests and thin layer chromatography are the methods of choice, these being simple, sensitive, reliable and economic. Keeping these significant aspects in view, an attempt has been made in the present study to check to the sensitivity of the conventional colour tests and to develop a new TLC method to sort out this problem.
Materials and Methods
Seeds of both Argemone mexicana and Brassica compestris (mustard) were observed visually and then under light microscope to study their morphology.
Figure 2: Seeds of Brassica campestris (mustard) when observed under magnifying lens (Click to enlarge)
Argemone oil was expelled from the seeds of Argemone mexicana in HPLC grade methanol with the help of pestle and mortar. The extract was then filtered through whatmann filter paper no. 1 and collected in a beaker. The beaker was then heated over a water bath for some time to evaporate excess of methanol, so that pure argemone oil was left behind. Same method was used for the extraction of mustard oil from mustard seeds. Argemone oil and mustard oil were mixed in different ratios (vol./vol.) to make adulterated samples of mustard oil. The sensitivity of the following conventional colour tests has been checked with the help of these adulterated samples (as mentioned above).
Colour tests
The following colour tests were performed for the detection of argemone oil in adulterated mustard oil.
1. Nitric acid test
Took 5 ml. of adulterated mustard oil in a test tube. To this, we added 5 ml of concentrated nitric acid and the test tube was shaken. Orange yellow colour was developed in the acid layer confirming the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
2. Cupric acid test
Took 5 ml. of adulterated oil in a test tube. To this 1 ml. glacial acetic acid and 2 mg. of cupric acetate solution were added. Green colour confirmed the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
3. Ferric chloride test
Figure 3: Seeds of Argemone mexicana when observed under magnifying lens (Click to enlarge)
Took 5 ml. of adulterated oil sample in a test tube. To this were added 2 ml. of concentrated HCl ml. of rectified spirit. It was shaken for one minute. The tube was then kept gently in a boiling water bath for 2 minutes. The acid and oil layers were separated clearly. Held the test tube in a slanting position and slowly added 1ml. of the Ferric chloride reagent allowing it to just tickle down the side of the tube. Mixed the solution by rolling the test tube gently between the palms. Placed the tube in the same water bath for 12 minutes. Then the test tube was examined. Reddish brown, needle shaped crystalline precipitate were obtained which confirmed the presence of argemone oil in the sample.
Thin layer chromatography
Extraction of standard sanguinarine sample
Standard sanguinarine sample was extracted from the argemone oil by using the method reported by Shenolikar et al. in 19775.
Method
Silica gel-G coated plates were taken and activated at 110ºC for 30 minutes prior to spotting of the sample. Then using capillary tube spots of standard Sanguinarine alkaloid, adulterated mustard oil, pure argemone oil and pure mustard oil were spotted on the TLC plates. Then the plates were developed in ascending way in TLC chamber with 30 minutes prior saturation. The plates were run upto 10 cm. distance. 20 different solvent systems were used. After the completion of solvent run the plates removed and air dried.
Visualization of spots
The developed plates were visualized in ultra violet light. The spot of sanguinarine appeared as bright golden yellow fluorescent spot. The spots were also visualized with the help of iodine fuming.
Results and Discussion
The examination of mustard seeds and argemone seeds under low power of the microscope revealed that the mustard seeds were round, smooth and brown in colour whereas the Argemone mexicana seeds were darker in colour and had a netted appearance.
Figure 4: Visualization of spots with iodine fuming. 1. Pure Argemone oil sample 2. Pure Mustard oil sample 3. Adulterated sample 4. Standard Sanguinarine sample (Click to enlarge)
The results of the colour tests are given in table no. 1 and 2 (Please click here to download tables). It is evident from the table no. 2 that the intensity of the colour decreases with the decrease in concentration of the Argemone oil in the adulterated mustard oil and it has also been found that colour is not produced when the concentration of Argemone oil is 1% or less in the sample. Results of the thin layer chromatography are shown in table no. 3. The diagram showing a developed TLC plate run with standard sanguinarine sample, pure argemone oil, adulterated mustard oil sample and pure mustard oil sample can be downloaded by clicking here.
Thin layer chromatography was found to be the most suitable method for separation and identification of argemone alkaloid in adulterated mustard oil. The solvent system comprising of n-Butanol : Acetone : Ethanol : H2O (60 : 20 : 20 : 15) was found to be the best solvent system which results in the separation of the three spots (more or less heart shaped) at hRf values 85, 30 and 15 with pure argemone oil, 2 spots with adulterated mustard sample at hRf values 85 and 30, one spot with standard sanguinarine sample at hRf value 85 and no spot with pure mustard oil at temperature ranging from 34ºC to 38ºC. The one spot at hRf value 85 gave a bright Golden yellow fluorescence under long ultra violet light and a brown colored heart shaped spot, when fumed with the iodine. This spot is of alkaloid Sanguinarine is of same colour and it is at the same hRf value at which standard Sanguinarine sample produced the spot.
Figure 5: Visualization of spots under UV light 1. Pure Argemone oil sample 2. Standard Sanguinarine sample 3. Adulterated sample 4. Pure mustard oil sample (Click to enlarge)
Shenolikar et al., 19816 reported a TLC method with solvent system n-Butanol, acetic acid and water (60 : 15 : 25) which is very slow, takes more than two hours to complete.
Thus, this new Thin Layer Chromatography solvent system comprising of n-Butanol : Acetone : Ethanol : H2O (60 : 20 : 20 : 15) has been found to be the best system for the separation of the toxic alkaloid sanguinarine and its identification, that too, in a very quick time i.e. time of running of solvent is only 55 minutes.
It is expected that above findings made in the present study will be of immense value to the forensic scientists working in this field.
References
1. Asolkar, L.V., Kakkar, K.K. and Chakre, O.J. (1992) : Glossary of India Medicinal plants with active principles Part - I (A-K) (1965-1981). Publications & Information Directorate (CSIR), New Delhi.
2. Kirtikar, K.R., Basu, B.D. and an I.C.S. (retired) (1993) : Indian Medicinal plants (Vol. - I). Periodical experts book agency, Delhi.
3. Murthi, T.N. Sharma, M. and Devdhara, V.D. (1988) : High performance liquid chromatographic determination of argemone oil in edible oil. J. Fd. Sci. Technol. Vol.-25, No. 3, 170-172.
4. Pundlik, M.D., and Meghal, S.K. (1977) : Spectrophotometric identification and estimation of argemone oil. Res. Ind. 22, 182. (c.f. Murthi et al., 1988).
5. Shenolikar, I.S. (1976) : Removal of Sanguinarine from edible oils, contaminated with argemone oil. Indian Journal Med. Res. 64, 8.
6. Shenolikar, I.S., Babu, S., Thapar, G.S. and Ramasastri, B.V. (1981) : Quantitative determination of argemone oil in edible oils by thin layer chromatography. Indian J. Med. Res. 73, 204-207.