maceration

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

 The term maceration comes from the Latin macerare, meaning to soak.
 This simple widely used procedure involves leaving the pulverized plant to soak in a suitable solvent
in a closed container.
 Drug is soaked with menstruum (solvent of maceration) for longer period of time (till equilibrium).

Question 2

definition

Answer 2

 It is a process in which the properly comminuted drug is permitted to soak in the menstruum until the
cellular structure is softened and penetrated by the menstruum and the soluble constituents are
dissolved.

Question 3

definitions

Answer 3

 Marc is the solid residue left after the action of menstruum.
 Simple Maceration: A process for tinctures made from organized drug e.g. roots, stems, leaves etc.
 Maceration with Adjustment: A process for tinctures made from unorganized drugs such as oleo
resins and gum resins.
 Maceration can be done one, two or three times for effective result.

Question 4

applications

Answer 4

 The method is suitable for both initial and bulk extraction.
 It is used to prepare:
o Tinctures
o Concentrated products

Question 5

disadvantages

Answer 5

The main disadvantage of maceration is that the process can be quite time-consuming, taking from a
few hours up to several weeks.

Question 6

multiple maceratio

Answer 6

Multiple maceration is aimed at achieving maximum extraction by using portions of total volume of
men strum for successive maceration. The drug: menstruum ratio is low.
 Double Maceration = Volume divided into 2 equal portions
 Triple Maceration = Volume divided into 3 equal portions