384- 



EINGIBERie ACI15. 



Acid from 

 ginger. 



Process for 

 obtaining it. 



Its properties. 



IX. 



Account ofaNcic Acid, obtained from Ginger, 

 from a Correspondent. 



In a Letter 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 



SIR, 



Its combination 

 with magnesia. 



Its difference 

 from other 

 acids. 



JOY the following process an acid (which I consider as 

 new, and would propose calling the zingiberic) was ob- 

 tained from ginger. 



One ounce of the best white ginger was infused during 

 two or three days, in six ounces of nitrous acid ; after 

 which rather more than an equal quantity of water was 

 added, and the- whole was kept at the heat of 212° adding 

 water to supply the loss by evaporation, till the nitrous 

 smell had disappeared. Carbonate of lead w r as then added 

 to saturation, and the solution filtered. The lead was in 

 the next place precipitated by sulphuric acid, and a second 

 filtration was made. 



By evaporating the filtered liquor, an acid, similar in 

 appearance to short white pieces of raw silk, was obtained, 

 which oxidates zinc and iron, and dissolves potash, soda, 

 ammonia, barytes, strontian, lime, magnesia, and the 

 oxides of zinc, iron, lead, and copper. 



The only farther account I can at present give of its 

 salts is, that the (perhaps super-) zingiberate of magnesia 

 has a taste intermediate between that of acetitc of lead, and 

 triple supersulphate of alumine. 



The zingiberic acid differs from the sulphuric, sulphurous, 

 carbonic, oxalic, tartarous, citric, mucoids, succinic, and 

 camphoric acids, in forming a soluble salt with barvtes and 

 lime; 



From the nitric, nitrous, muriatic, acetic, acetous, se- 

 bacic, malic, and prussic, by remaining in the solid form 

 at 212°; 



From the benzoic and suberic, by its greater solubility; 



And it docs not, like gallic acid, precipitate copper of a 

 brown colour. 



A CORRESPONDENT. 



