82 
PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY 
in corn starch are absent. The grains take on a red coloration with 
iodine solutions. 
5. Amylodextrin. —This is a carbohydrate intermediate in proper¬ 
ties between starch and dextrin. It occurs in the form of small ir¬ 
regularly shaped granules, in Mace, that take on a reddish brown to 
reddish violet color with iodine solutions. 
6. Inulin. —Inulin is a carbohydrate isomeric with starch which 
has the chemical formula of Ci 2 H 2 oOio. It is found dissolved in the 
cell sap of many plants, especially those of the Composites. If pieces 
of a plant part containing this substance be placed directly in alcohol 
for at least a week, then sectioned and mounted in alcohol, sph aero- 
crystals of inulin will be seen applied to the walls of the cells. When 
these sections are treated with a 25 per cent, solution of alpha 
naphthol and 2 or 3 drops of strong H2SO4, the sphaerocrystals will 
dissolve with a violet color. Fehling’s solution is not reduced by 
inulin. 
7. Hesperidin. —Hesperidin is a glucoside having the chemical 
formula of C 2 iH 26 0 i 2 . Like inulin it occurs in solution within the 
cell sap. It is found in abundance in the Rutaceae family but occurs 
in many other plants. If sections of alcoholic material containing 
this substance such as Buchu leaves or unripe orange peel, are 
mounted in alcohol and examined, sphaerocrystals will be seen. If 
these are then treated with a drop of alpha naphthol solution and 2 
or 3 drops of strong H 2 SC>4, they dissolve with a yellow color. The 
same coloration is evident when 5 per cent, solution of KOH is 
substituted for the alpha naphthol and H 2 S 0 4 . 
8. Strophanthin. —This is a glucoside occurring in the cell sap of 
the endosperm of Strophanthus Kombe, S. hispidus and other species 
of Strophanthus. If sections of fresh Strophanthus seeds are 
mounted in a drop of water and then transferred to a drop of con¬ 
centrated H 2 SC>4, the cells containing strophanthin will assume a 
bright green color. 
9. Salicin. —Salicin is a glucoside occurring in the cell sap of the 
bark and leaves of the Willows and Poplars. Sections of these 
mounted in concentrated H 2 S 0 4 will show a red coloration in the 
cells containing this substance. If water be added a red powder is 
thrown down. 
