Chemical examination of the root of ipomoea orizabensis / by Frederick B. Power and Harold Rogerson.

  • Frederick Belding Power
Date:
[1912?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Chemical examination of the root of ipomoea orizabensis / by Frederick B. Power and Harold Rogerson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Extraction of the Boot with Alcohol. For the purpose of a complete examination of the constituents of the root, a quantity (48*76 kilograms) of the ground material was extracted by continuous percolation with hot alcohol. After the removal of the greater portion of the alcohol, 15*59 kilograms of a soft, dark-coloured extract were obtained. Isolation of Sucrose. Inasmuch as it has been shown by Requier (J. Pharm. Chim., 1905, [vi], 22, 435, 492) that scammony root contains sucrose as well as reducing sugar, it was deemed desirable to ascertain whether sucrose is also contained in the root of Ipomoca orizabensis. For this purpose about 1 kilogram of the above-mentioned alcoholic extract was mixed with water to separate the resin, the dark- coloured aqueous liquid filtered, and treated with an excess of milk of lime. The mixture was then filtered, the alkaline filtrate saturated with carbon dioxide, again filtered, and the clear liquid evaporated under diminished pressure to the consistency of a syrup. By treating the latter with successive portions of alcohol, a product was finally obtained, which was completely soluble in 85—90 per cent, alcohol, and, after inoculation with a trace of sucrose and keeping for a few days, deposited a small amount (0*3 gram) of a substance in colourless prisms. After recrystallisation from slightly diluted alcohol, the substance melted at 184—185°, as did also a specimen of pure sucrose when heated somewhat rapidly, although the melting point of the latter is usually stated to be 160°. The general properties and an analysis of the substance definitely established its identity as sucrose. (Found, C = 42‘l; H = 6*8. Calc., C = 42*l; H(—-6*4 per cent.) Distillation of the Extract with Steam. Separation of an Essential Oil. A quantity (2 kilograms) of the above-mentioned extract was mixed with water, and distilled in a current of steam. The distil¬ late, which contained some oily drops floating on the surface, was extracted with ether, the ethereal liquid being dried and the solvent removed, when a small amount (0*9 gram) of a pale yellow essential oil was obtained. This possessed a persistent odour, and gave the colour reaction for furfuraldehyde. After the above-described operation, there remained in the distil¬ lation flask a dark-coloured aqueous liquid (A) and a quantity of a soft resin (B). The resin was repeatedly washed with hot water