Extractum Glycyrrhizae Purum. U. S. (Br.) Pure Extract of Glycyrrhiza.
Ext. Glycyrrh. Pur.
Related entries: Glycyrrhiza - Extract of Glycyrrhiza.
Extractum Glycyrrhizae, Br.; Extract of Liquorice; Extractum Glycyrrhizae Depuratum, Succus Liquiritiae, Depuratus; Extrait de Reglisse pur, Fr.; Succus Liquiritisiae depuratus, P. G.; Gereinigter Sussholzsaft, Reines Lakriz, G.
"Glycyrrhiza, in No. 20 powder, one thousand grammes [or 35 ounces av., 120 grains];
Ammonia Water, one hundred and fifty mils [or 5 fluidounces, 33 minims]; Water, Chloroform Water, each, a sufficient quantity. Mix the ammonia water with three thousand mils [or 101 fluidounces, 212 minims] of water, and, having moistened the powder with one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms] of the mixture, allow it to macerate in a closed vessel for twenty-four hours. Then pack it lightly in a cylindrical percolator, and gradually pour upon it, first the remainder of the menstruum, and then chloroform water, until the glycyrrhiza is exhausted. Evaporate the liquid in a porcelain dish on a water bath, to a pilular consistence." U. S.
"Licorice Root, in No. 20 powder, 1000 grammes; Chloroform Water, 5000 millilitres. Mix the Liquorice Root with one-half of the Chloroform Water; set aside for twenty-four hours; strain; press; to the pressed marc add the remainder of the Chloroform Water and set aside for six hours; strain; press; mix the strained liquids; heat to 100° C. (212° F.); strain through flannel; evaporate to a soft extract." Br.
The necessity for a pure extract of licorice must be apparent to every pharmacist; the very variable quality of the commercial extract has frequently led to disappointment. The official process affords a preparation which is unexceptionable, the ammonia rendering the glycyrrhizin soluble, yet care must be taken in its evaporation, as it is very easily injured by too much heat, which gives it an empyreumatic taste, destroying at once its usefulness as an agreeable adjuvant. Extract of licorice is incompatible with acids of all kinds which precipitate the glycyrrhizin.
Off. Prep.—Mistura Glycyrrhizae Composita, U. S.; Mistura Ammonii Chloridi, N. F.
