224 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



20. (Fig. 39.) ASAFCETIDA. Asafetida. U. S. 



A gummy-resin obtained from Ferula Asafcetida L. and of other 

 species of Ferula, Umbelliferse. 



Dull reddish brown to light brown. 



Marked garlic odor. 



Sticky, somewhat pungent, associated with the odor. 



Powdered asafcetida is generally adulterated with mineral matter 

 and vegetable tissue (usually gramineous chaff) , the adulteration rang- 

 ing from 10 to 90 per cent. Pure (commercially) asafcetida contains 

 some Ferula tissue, mostly bast cells, not to exceed eight per cent, 

 and usually less. 



Pure gum asafcetida does not contain more than 4 per cent. ash. 

 Powdered asafcetida may contain from 8 to 50 per cent. ash. It 

 should not contain more than 10 per cent, ash, making allowance for 

 the use of a diluent in grinding and for additions derived from the 

 plants from which the gum is obtained. 



The most common adulterants are starch, cereal, corn meal, magne- 

 sium carbonate, talcum, rice chaff, barley chaff. Ammoniac which 

 resembles asafcetida very closely in color and general appearance is 

 sometimes used as an adulterant. 



