The Department deals with the studies related to Pharmacognosy which is specifically the study of morphological, chemical, and biological properties as well as history, cultivation, collection, extraction, isolation, bioassay, quality control, and preparation of crude drugs of natural origin. Some common apparatus used in Pharmacognosy Laboratory Include:
1. Soxhlet Extractor:The Soxhlet extractor is used for liquid-solid extractions when the compound to be extracted has limited solubility in the chosen solvent and the impurities are insoluble.
2. Rotary Evaporator: A rotary evaporator (also called as ‘rotavap’ or ‘rotovap’) is a device used in labs for the efficient and gentle removal of solvents from samples by evaporation.
3. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate: This is a flat glass or plastic plate coated with a thin layer of stationary phase, such as silica gel or alumina. It is used to separate and identify different compounds present in a sample.
4. Column chromatography column: This apparatus is used to separate natural products using a stationary phase, such as silica gel or alumina. It consists of a glass column packed with the stationary phase, and a sample loading port at the top.
5. Extraction of natural products: This experiment involves extracting natural products from plant materials using various solvents. Students learn how to choose the appropriate solvent based on the polarity of the compounds they wish to extract.
6. Biological screening: Some pharmacognosy laboratories also conduct biological screening assays to test the activity of natural products against various diseases. These assays may include antimicrobial, anti- inflammatoryor Anti- bacterialtests.
In conclusion, pharmacognosy laboratory experiments are focused on the study and analysis of natural products derived from plants, animals, and other natural sources with medicinal properties. These experiments help students and researchers to identify and isolate bioactive compounds and evaluate their potential as therapeutic agents using various apparatus.
The Department has a well equipped Pharmacognosy Lab and a Museum to display various available specimens.
| INSTRUMENTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoclave | Binocular Microscope | Camera Lucida | Colorimeter |
| Compound Microscope | Cutter Mill | Dissecting Microscope | Digital pH Meter |
| Digital Balance (Electric) | Eye Piece Micrometer | Electric Waterbath | Fermentor |
| Hot Air Oven | Heating Mantle | Hot Plate | Micropipette (single/ Multi) channel |
| Micro-centrifuge | Microtome Rotary | Mixer Grinder | Medicinal Plant Chart |
| Models | Muffle Furnace | Moisture Balance | Projection Microscope |
| Polarized Microscope | Permanent Slide | Rotary Shaker | Refrigerator |
| Sterility testing unit | Stage micrometer | Sonicator | UV Cabinet |
| Vaccum Pump | Zone reader | Incinerator | Specimen |
